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It was a beautiful sunny morning in Stretford, where Victoria hosted Beechy in the cup.
We started the game well against the side from the higher division, but it was Stretford who took the lead initially with a half volley nestling right into the bottom corner. We continued to play our game however and had chances to equalise before Jayden Lowe played a great ball through to Grayson Evans who took one neat touch before firing into the bottom corner for the equaliser. We continued to press, and took the lead shortly after when Alex McGrory burst through beating the offside trap to score his first goal of the season and Beechy led. It was a really entertaining game, end to end throughout. Stretford equalised just before a close range Ryan Cordingley strike gave Beechy a one goal lead at half time.
The second half was more of the same with chances galore for both teams. We were unfortunate not to get a penalty when Ralph Theaker showed great strength in taking it past the full back on the right and looked to be brought down, but no penalty given. Stretford again equalised following a corner. Jayden Lowe then raced through and was brought down in the box. Penalty to Beechy, given this time. Up stepped Aidan Thompson to hit a sweet strike for his first of the season and Beechy led again. We were trying hard to defend the lead whilst looking dangerous every time we went forward. Stretford equalised, again from a corner with about ten minutes left. The game was end to end and either side could have won it. The best chance before the end fell to Grayson Evans, who shot agonisingly wide, with what surely would have been the winner.
As this was a cup game it went to penalties. Aidan and Ralph scored their penalties in the shootout, but we put two wide, and Victoria were victorious in the shootout.
A tremendous advert for grass roots football today, end to end, played in great spirit, between two well matched teams on the day. This was possibly our best performance of the season, we played with heart, passion and desire, and we told the team not to be downhearted after defeat in the lottery of the shootout. We've been improving over the last few weeks particularly going forward and have started creating loads of chances which is good to see.
Player of the Match was so tough. Alex McGrory, Aidan Thompson, Freya Quinn, Ralph Theaker, Jayden Lowe all had magnificent games, amongst others. They were all tremendous today. But we had to give Player of the Match to Reuben McCormick who was again instrumental at the back, stopping numerous Stretford attacks, and was a key attacking threat for us with the long pass forward. Well done all, we're heading in the right direction. 👏⚽️