Playoff semi-final

MPS Newton 2 - 2 Needham (a.e.t)
(Needham won 4-2 on penalty kicks)

Our playoff semi-final against the wild-card team, Needham, was switched to their turf field because of the threat of a(nother) rain storm. The pitch was pristine and almost as wide as it was long - plenty of space for the wingers, perhaps?

We started well and Needham didn't really show in the first 15-20 minutes as we had them pinned in their own half. Andy had a good shot from just outside the box early on that forced the 'keeper into a diving save to his right. A little later Pap had a good header cleared off the line during a goalmouth scramble.

Mid-way through the half Needham came more into the game, and began to string together some good passes. We started giving the ball away cheaply and created some problems for ourselves. We were a little fortunate when Needham's central midfielder had two attempts at a shot from the edge of our area: the first came back to him off his own player, the second was well blocked by Mike Altchek.

Christer made a weaving run down the left side from half-way line, riding three or four tackles. When he got to the edge of the Needham area he held off another challenge, the defender fell, and the ref awarded Needham a free kick. Other than that curiosity, the referee had an excellent game.

As usual we started the second half more aggressively. Steve Shea created a couple of good chances by putting the defence under pressure, once on the left, once on the right. The pressure continued and when Pap made an excellent cross from the left into the six-yard area, Bardot was on hand to score with a lunging header.

Once we had the lead Needham were forced to put more players forward. The defence was put under a lot of pressure, and Kirk and Tim R made a series of timely headers to cut out long through balls. Samuel blocked a shot from 20 yards but the ball rebounded into the path of the portly Needham attacker. His first-time shot was on target but Samuel manged to get his hands to the ball and turn it over the bar. We had a few chances on the break, the best of which was when Bardot made an excellent run down the left side. The Needham 'keeper did well to get down and block his low shot.

Then, two lapses of concentration in the space of less than ten minutes allowed Needham to get ahead. Their first goal came from a corner, the Needham player managing to make enough contact under pressure five yards out to score. Their second goal was a carbon copy, except the attacker, surrounded by white shirts, was given space and made a good contact with his head to power the ball past Samuel.

Needham tried to lock the game down as we entered the last ten minutes. Andy shot again from the edge of the area, this time just over the bar with the 'keeper in trouble. Then Bardot had a shot from slightly closer that was blocked, but Karsten controlled the rebound with his right foot and curled the ball around the goalie with his left to tie up the scores.

As legs became heavy in extra time, Needham created the better chances. When Ivan stretched to clear a dangerous low cross from the left the ball could have gone anywhere, but it ricocheted off his shin for a corner. In the second half Needham's left-side attacker latched onto a ball played into the area, but Ivan blocked his shot enough to put the ball onto the post and out of play.

Penalty kicks were always going to be difficult against the imposing Needham 'keeper. Bardot placed the first to the 'keeper's right, then Tom hit his low but straight down the middle and the 'keeper blocked. Andy placed his kick to the 'keeper's left, but Kelvin hit it too close and it was saved. Needham had scored four at this stage and had booked a place in the final.