So here you are, quarter finals of the County Cup and you’re away to a team you don’t know too much about but you know enough to know that it’s going to be a tough game. A fast start is required isn’t it? Show them what you’re all about early doors, lay down a marker… you know that sort of thing. Nah, 5 minutes in and Ruislip were penned in and looked panicky every time they were run at or faced a high ball. Oh and they were already 2 down!
Edmonton were probably starting to make their travel plans for the semi final and had the ball found the Ruislip net instead of the crossbar after 10 minutes then there would maybe have been no way back for the away side. But then a couple of things happened. Firstly Omari Reynolds was introduced to the fray and for the first time in the match, Ruislip had someone willing to lay a glove on the opposition.
Secondly it became apparent that the Edmonton defence were struggling to cope with the hard running Charlie Coshall, happily back for the first time in 2 months following a broken wrist. And it was Coshall who reacted sharply to cleverly turn home Finn Edwards’ long throw to halve the deficit on 19 minutes to really change the complexion of the game. Suddenly now Ruislip looked the more likely to score although Harry Sandiford had to be alert to push away an Edmonton long range effort.
The threatened equaliser wasn’t long in coming though as on 28 minutes, Coshall found space in the box and then found the bottom corner of the net. Remi Ogunbayo had a snapshot well saved and Lewis Crowley, looking for his first goal since infants school, saw his Hail Mary attempt just clear the bar as Ruislip threatened to complete a first half turnaround. All square at the break but over on Sky, Ray Winstone was urging viewers to ‘have a bang’ on Ruislip.
However 5 minutes into the second period, came a pivotal moment as Sandiford allowed a routine cross shot to squirm through his hands and perilously close to the goal line. The linesman immediately flagged for a goal but the referee was unconvinced and waved play on. The feeling on the sideline was that Ruislip had dodged a bullet. The game switched to the other end as Coshall and Lennox Kedman both had efforts blocked on the line following Mark Webb’s cute through ball. On 44 minutes, Ruislip did hit the front as Ogunbayo’s deliciously nonchalant 25 yarder nestled sweetly in the top corner. It was a brilliant goal and the scorer calmly stood there as though he does it all the time in training (he doesn’t!) before being engulfed in a sea of burgundy. Ruislip were looking comfortable but they were unable to find the killer finish and with 15 minutes remaining the game swung again as Luke Massingham agonisingly turned a left wing cross into his own net.
It was game on again as both sides sought the crucial next goal. Kedman was pulled down in the box but the ref shook his head however with 3 minutes left he had no option but to point to the spot when Coshall was wrestled to the floor. With a semi final place on the line, Edwards, so impressive on the right flank, showed he had a pair and stepped forward. It was a big moment and his strike was unconvincing but the keeper had gone early and was unable to react. 4-3 Ruislip and a couple of minutes left to see the job through although Kedman made that a lot easier as he deftly turned home Massingham’s free kick. Maybe they relaxed too much as they allowed Edmonton the easiest of chances to reduce the arrears in time added on but that proved to be the last kick of the match.
A thrilling roller coaster ride of a match in which Ruislip once again demonstrated their character and will to win. But hey let’s start properly next time, eh boys?
MoM a number of candidates but after that shambolic first few minutes Ben Higgins was colossal at the back