HARDEN'S HEROES REACH EPIC HEIGHTS

And so it was, the balls for the Quarter Final were deposited into the tumbler and, as quick as she is off her line, GB keeper and draw mistress, Maddie Hinch, would select right and draw Wotton and BOE together once more, this time though it would be in the weald of Wotton and the BOE boys would have to make the long trip in a replay of last years epic at College Meadow. Having played Oxford Uni the day before a number of the squad elected to stay out west and the combination of a haunted hotel and a desolate arcade made sure the boys were neatly wrapped up in front of Match of the Day with Gary Lineker talking them to sleep below their Spiderman duvets. Meanwhile the rest of the squad would be setting their alarms as they hit the hay ready for the long morning drive.

Few places look as beautiful as Eltham College first thing in the morning but on a Sunday at 7am, it just didn't seem right to be trekking across the field in search on the plush mini van that would take us to the West. Saddled up and ready to role we departed at around 7.40am and, bar a brief stop at Reading, we bossed it all the way to Wotton through the Cotswold country side and at 10.40am the party bus pulled into the St Lady Katherine of the Night Grammar School and we had arrived at destination Quarterfinal.

As always you don't quite get the timings right, had we left at 8am we would have been stuck in traffic and scrambling for PB time, as it was we had allowed plenty of time (2 hours) between arrival and PB so with that in mind, the Chairman & Men's Secretary headed back to the party bus to get some sleep. The boys started to rev things up and as we got on deck you could feel the tension start to rise. PB was approaching and things were getting serious, the boys unleashed a ferocious shooting drill and if they weren't ready - Nathan Bullens certainly was on it in nets. It was time......

What played out was far from a classic encounter of skill and it had the real feel of a cup tie, regardless of league standings and how each side had played on the Saturday, this was a cup game that was there for any team to take. Wotton, still hurting from last years QF defeat, came flying out of the blocks, a searing pace to the game and it was no surprise that a quick turn over in midfield followed by a smooth fast counter attack meant the home side were 1-0 up with just minutes on the clock. This was not the start the BOE boys wanted. The brains and desire were there but the lads seemed to feel a little 'leggy' after the work out from the students the day before. Passes were going astray, miss traps and tired leads meant that the lads were not linking up and were finding it hard to break down a resolute Wotton side, 90% of the game was being played in the middle of the park as each team tried to work each other out. Occasionally either side would win a short corner but both battery's were off the boil and the product of the set pieces was as damp as the west country rain. 0-1 at half time and some work to do.

There was some stern, harsh but fair words from Skipper Harden at the break and all knew that the next 35 minutes could make or break the season. 35 minutes of hard work and focus and that would get us into the semi. It was now or never for the boys and we had to step it up. Right from the first pass of the 2nd half that was drilled back to Forshaw at CH, the game had a different feel to it, BOE had woken up, their passing crisper and their attentions clear. Early possession warranted an opening down the right and a well placed ball in resulted in a short corner and a first chance of the half to pull things level. The injection crisp, the stop impeccable and the resulting Chris Harden drag to the keepers left cracked off the back board and back out before the runners reached the top of the D. 1-1, game on.

BOE maintained the ball, we were using the midfield more and as a result we were actually locating the forward line. Regular D penetrations and link up play created more chances for BOE but the Wotton GK had his game head on and was determined not to let BOE complete the comeback. Enter Jake Owen who went on a mazy run and went past 3/4 players before drawing the keeper, it looked certain to be a goal but again the keeper tidied up and both Mayfield and Harden C couldn't reach the rebound. David Lawrence was in imperious form and not many will give him the credit deserved for the winner. David had been a menace to the Wotton defence all game and, on another day might have had a hat trick but he too found the GK in fine nick. However, when tired, you find out a great deal about people and David must have been fighting the lactic acid demons as he chased down a loose ball forwards, it was destined to go off the pitch but as he strove to make it, one final lunge kept the ball on and rolled back onto the foot of the unsuspecting Wotton player who had underestimated Lawrence Jnr, many would have warned him not to be so foolish, on his day David will make you look silly just to be kind. Penalty corner..............

Injection: yup, stop: slick, drag:............BOOM!!!!!!!!! Harden rifled a trademark lightening bolt at goal and in it went taking the Wotton post man with it. 2-1 up and we needed that. The skipper is a leader of fine caliber and this goal sparked belief and light into the team. The BOE lads came again and a needless foul in the D gave us another PC. Could we get some distance and poach another goal. Again a slick routine saw the ball cannon of the Keepers pads. The ball was driven back. It disappeared under a logging GK. It then wriggled loose and was cleverly pushed across the goal line. GOAL! But no.....fractions of a second before the ball was scooped in the whistle had been blown for a Wotton infringement. The goal was disallowed and another PC was awarded. This was the moment we actually longed for a second our two of hesitation from the Umpire but he was on point with the whistle and the advantage didn't stand. The narrow one goal lead remained. The boys were running on empty but we were maintaining the ball, we had to cling on, its not easy playing 2 high paced away games in 24 hours, we were digging deep but Wotton would come again, and it was backs to the wall for the closing moments. 5 minutes to go, Wotton corner, dubious but given. Heads on boys, no panic, even if we concede there is time. Nope, not having it said Nate! This was the moment, the big mans moment. Nathan has found some outrageous form this season and he has been nothing short of superb. The drag came in and the mid air deflection looked to have put Wotton level....never..... Nathan watched it all the way and with the tip of his stick turned it round the post, incredible save!

30 seconds to go and Wotton win the ball, drive forward and, of course, somehow locate a foul in the D and its corner time. Oh Lordy! The final whistle went and it was bodies on the line time. Rarely do corners after the whistle go in your favour, we were fingers crossed and praying hard. In it came, slip left, across goal, deflection, saved! Cleared of the base line, bench erupted, amazing scenes...............wait, oh no! CLEARED INTENTIONALLY OFF THE BACK!!!!!!! The heart sunk, not this, not now! The corner would be taken again and BOE were back on the line, masks on, eyes on the ball......this was huge, in it came again, stopped, moved, deflected......trickled wide!!!!!!!!! GET IN THERE!!!!!!!! The final whistle went and this time we could celebrate, nothing left in the tank and the Wotton boys down on their haunches. This was as 'dig deep' as you have to dig, but we did it.

A hard and tough display and a tireless one at that, a full squad effort and plenty of guts and heroics. The leadership and never say die attitude of the Skipper, Chris, is something to behold and his 2 goals were as vital as they come. The performance of the whole back four was outstanding and individual input of the midfield and forward lines was pivotal. In truth, on another day this could have been many more and a much easier task, however, the legs can often dictate the output. As far as magic moments and match changing efforts no one should forget David's chase and winning of the vital corner but for sheer class and making a moment count Nathan Bullens takes MOTM for his ridiculous one handed save with a minute to spare.

The Umpiring of this game was of a very high standard with only a few greens and a solitary yellow for a ridiculous rugby tackle take out by the Wotton Skipper on the BOE Skipper.

Warm and generous hospitality from our hosts was much appreciated with our club delegation of 2 enjoying the half time bakes.

Onwards and upwards. The League is vital and a huge game with Lewes this Saturday, as for the cup we are HOME to Norwich City on the 19th of March..... see you all there. The Road To Lee Valley continues.

Its been a pleasure.