Pegasus Blue (under 14) v Keyworth United Black (under 14)
Cup Match – Saturday 20th November 2010

A thrilling, pulsating cup tie that had everything - twists and turns, chances galore and goals.

From the kick-off the game ebbed and flowed, from end to end. It was the visitors, though, that started to create clear cut chances, the first on 7 minutes an eighteen yard drive magnificently saved by Jack Bales, low to his left at the foot of the post . Then 3 minutes later a right wing corner was headed down and thrashed wide by a United striker. On 12 minutes Bales came to the rescue again, tipping over a bullet header from another corner. On 18 minutes Peggo had there first meaningful effort at goal, Hopcroft’s swivel and shot well saved by the visiting keeper. On 22 minutes Keyworth pressure finally paid off, a mis-hit clearance fell to the United striker running in from a wide position, his firmly struck shot found the net in off the far post, 0 – 1. On 26 and 27 minutes United missed further chances to extend their lead, but both times fired wide when it looked easier to score. It was looking ominous for Pegasus and only a minute later the score was 2 – 0 to the visitors, when a left wing corner was missed by everyone and somehow the ball nestled itself into the net. Half time could not come quick enough for the home team. Not a good half for Pegasus, and the half time team talk by the coaching staff would have to be a good one.

Half time: Pegasus Blue 0 – Keyworth United 2

Whatever was said had an immediate effect! Pegasus pressed forward from the off, and on 45 minutes made the break through they needed, when Cerutti collected the ball, cut inside and passed to Adam Rice. Still with a lot to do, he set off on an arcing run, taking him past 3 defenders before smashing the ball past the helpless keeper, 1 – 2 . On 51 minutes Rice was clear again but this time fired against the advancing keeper, and then again a minute later blazed over while under pressure. On 55 minutes, against the run of play, Keyworth won a corner, the floated ball was headed in firmly by an unmarked United player, 1 – 3. Pegasus did not let their heads go down, and continued surging forward. On 61 minutes a great move down the right, finished with a cross to the far post, met by Cerruti who fired wide. A minute later Peggo did pull one back, a right wing corner was cleared, crossed back in, headed up into the air and prodded home from close range by Sean Gordon, 2 – 3. We hadn’t even drawn breath when Pegasus won the ball straight from the kick off, a great pass to Cerutti, who in turn found Adam Rice, he left everyone in his wake and exquisitely lobbed the keeper to equalise, sending the home players and supporters into wild celebrations. A minute later Rice had the chance to sew it up in normal time, but the keeper rushed from his goal line to block the shot.

End of normal time: Pegasus Blue 3 – Keyworth United Black 3

Pegasus, with their tails up, poured forward and with only 3 minutes of extra time gone to the lead, a great ball by Sable found Adam Rice , whose pace took him clear once again and crashed the ball into the top right corner to complete his hat-
trick. On 76 minutes that man Rice again, thumped the ball just the wrong side of the post. A minute later it was 5 – 3, Billy Warburton found the ball at his feet 35 yards out, there didn’t look much on, so out of the blue he beautifully chipped the ball into the top right corner.

Half time extra time : Pegasus Blue 5 – Keyworth United Black 3

Pegasus didn’t let up, and on 83 minutes a long throw was flicked on and a Cerutti left foot drive was well saved, then from the resulting corner, the ball was headed into the air, Hopcroft steamed in through a crowd of players to head straight at the keeper. A minute later the result was beyond doubt, a pinpoint pass by Price to Rice and a side foot finish into the corner 6 – 3. Pegasus could have had several more, first a shot from distance by Price was well saved, then Gillard fired wide. A minute from time, and, once again against the run of play, Peggo conceded another sloppy goal, but it was too little too late.
After a very shaky start Pegasus played some fantastic football to cruise into the next round of the cup.

Full time: Pegasus Blue 6 – Keyworth United Black 4

MOM – Fraser Dunn – A great performance from an unsung hero