WOW !!!    what an end to end game !!!

Despite having about 6 regulars missing due to work commitments, the Royalist Cup 9 turned out to be one of the best ever games. The cavalier debutants were worthy replacements and the full time score was a very fair 4-4 draw. However, after some requests from a few players, we had our first ever penalty shootout. That was a tight and tense affair as well, with the Gold`s edging it 5-4. Both keepers did great, with Simon Mills (who has played in a Royalist Cup before as a midfielder) saving the vital spot kick low to his right.Praise also to Arron Billingham in the other goal who had not played for a long time due to injury.
The Gold`s who initially had no subsitutes, had to start with manager and veteran cavalier Paul Borzone playing upfront alongside the ever dangerous Rai Long. About 20 minutes into the game, a great through ball from Marc Bassinder was collected out on the corner of the area by Paul Borzone who after a first touch, shot high and across into the far top corner of the net to make it 1-0. The Purple Cav`s were having and creating more chances, but luck seemingly was not with them. Jordan Castello making his long awaited cavalier return, was as dangerous as ever !, and no one could catch him for pace. He missed a couple of glorious chances, and young Shahaab Raja was unlucky not to score when put through by a great ball from Rich Clothier.Ten minutes later Paul Borzone steered a Rai Lee-Long shot beyond the Purple Cav`s keeper to seemingly make it 2-0 ! but it was ruled out as the gaffer had been judged to have strayed offside !!!.
After James Chapman had to leave the pitch as a recent injury flared up again, the purple`s got back and equalised through Jordan Castello`s fierce drive. Raimond Lee-Long was not to be outdone by his fellow goal getter and rival marksman, and almost immediately put the Gold`s 2-1 up from the restart.It was his 25th all time Cavalier goal. Ten minutes later though and it was all square at 2-2 when Alex Clothier scored an unfortunate own goal.
The second half started with the sides evenly matched, but then about 20 minutes in, the re introduction of Young Shahaab Raja and Elias Williams really got things going for the purple cav`s, Elias showed a deft touch and maturity above his age, which must of made his team mate and dad Johnny, very proud. He`s obviously inherited the good footballer gene !!!. The game was literally swinging from end to end, Marc Bassinder put the gold`s 3-2 up after a great cross from Omari Alphonse. For the purples Ped French sped down the right flank and shot from a tight angle to make it 3-3.
Subsitute Mark Tattum was having a great game for the Gold`s though and was really pulling the strings and creating, with some surging runs. And for the Purple`s Jordan Castello was still a constant threat up front, with young Shahaab and Elias both supporting him with speed and creativity down the wings as well. It really was a nail biter. Mark Tattum put the Gold`s 4-3 up after a little controversy with the purple`s disputing there had been a foul in the build up. The district referee explained his decision, and minutes later Elias Williams capped off his fine debut with the equaliser as Simon Mills (who otherwise had a great game) decided to play `Hot Potato` with the ball and help it in !!. Josh Rice was very unfortunate not to keep his scoring run going as he had smacked the crossbar and later also forced Arron Billingham in to a great save down at his left post. His dad Dino, coming on as a 2nd half sub, made a couple of maurauding (ashley colesque !) runs down the flank from left back, but wasn`t always picked out by the midfield.
Then to penalties then, and Millsy more than redeemed himself with the winning spot kick save from the very unfortunate Andy Peattie, who had a otherwise great game, and he had earlier had a goal bound chance cleared of the line by the dependable Ted Walker.
All in all, a great and exciting game from both teams !!!! UP THE CAV`S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!