Sainsbury`s Friendly League Under 8 Knock out Cup Semi Final - 5th April 2008

Alphington Rockets 2 - 1 Stoke Hill

Two of the league heavyweights went head to head for this Semi - Final, However The Rockets booked their place in the Final by the smallest of margins.

The First half was fairly even and The Rockets created several chances, but were unable to convert them into Goals. Lucas White took a nasty knock Just before half time, and went off for treatment.

The Rockets played into the wind for the second half and were under constant pressure from The Stoke Hill keeper’s long goal kick. Oliver Saunders, Jake Murphy and James Dodd all made timely interceptions. James Bovey was commanding in goal.

The turning point in the match happened when Lucas White returned from his lengthy treatment. After a long ball from The Rockets defence, Lucas White beat the Stoke Hill defender to toe poke the ball into the net. Alphington Rockets second goal was produced by some great set up play by Jake Murphy ,who passed the ball up the line to find Joe McKenzie, an excellent weighted pass found Lucas White at the near post, who then prodded the ball into the net.  

Stoke Hill replied within a few minutes to make the score 2-1 and set up a frantic last few minutes in which Stoke Hill piled on the pressure, but the Rockets defence held firm.

Credit has to go to Stoke Hill’s Managers, players and Supporters who were gracious in defeat and on another day the result may have been different.

Alphington Man Of The Match Jake Murphy