Goals: R Pritchard (15), R Exley (17)

Assists: P Clark (15), H Klosok (17)

The biggest game of the season was upon us at the Fortress, where the 5's faced a UCL team who had not lost a game since the first of the season and a centre forward pairing who had reputedly notched 50 goals already between them - this would be a tough test!

The only change was Dobbie coming in at left back, and the 5's welcomed Miran & ELia back into the squad. 

The first 10 minutes of the game, it was fair to say, were nervous. It wasn't a surprise that their centre forward capitalised on some hesitancy when their winger crossed & UCL were 1-0 up within 2 minutes, they could have doubled the lead soon after, however Dan saved smartly to keep us in reaching distance.

Almost out of nowhere the 5's got back into it, some pressure up top lead to the ball getting knocked back to Paul Clark who played the ball central where Snakes slammed a first-time effort into the net from all of 25 yards - I couldnt tell who was more surprised it went in: Ryan, the Keeper, or the rest of us!! Anyway, SNakes assures us that it wasn't an attempt to trap the ball. 

Again, soon after, more pressure and their centre back misjudged a Klosok cross which left Exley some time to take the ball down and slam it past their Keeper form the edge of the area - time for big celebrations and some sighs of relief, as for such a poor start we found ourselves in the lead within 20mins of the whistle. IT is fair to say, that the rest of the half was a terrible advert for Football, mainly down to the pitch, however their was lots of physical battles happening across the pitch and neither side could play free-flowing Football. Half Time 2-1.

The second half started the same as the first ended, no real chances, and UCL looked particularly threatening out wide. Out of nowhere, a scuffed cross eluded everybody and crept into the bottom corner of Dan's goal - 2-2 and still 30 mins to play. I made a tactical substitution bringing on Miran to partner Watts' up front, with the aim to provide more energy and freshen things up. Snakes had to come off shortly after, suffering cramp in his gaol scoring foot, and Elia came on for him.

We rode our luck a little, as UCL did have a couple of half-chances, however towards the end we were gifted a free-kick & also did not capitalise on their Goal Keepers fumble which could have meant extra time could have been avoided. Full Time 2-2

Extra Time was competitive, but really there was not much in it - a couple of half chances for UCL, but Penalties were upon us all so quickly. Watts, Hogan, Exley, and Miran all converted while UCL missed 2 penalties resulting in a win & a place in the final for the 5's!!!

Great team performance from a work & effort perspective - we did enough to win, and showed great character to turn the game around & to hang-on in there in the end. We will face another tough test against an Economicals side in the final who haven't lost a league game all season, but that shouldn't concern us providing we take this recent run of form & attitude with us (as well as Dobbie bringing the bottle!).

Next week we are at home for another relegation dog fight against Old Parkonians - a win here will move us off the bottom & above them, this is a critical game, and in the grand scheme of things more important than the Cup game we have just won. Play with the same attitude & commitment and we will win - you will all play knowing that you are all playing for Cup Final places too the following week. Please let me know your availability for next weeks game ASAP.

Up the 5's!