At last we have played another game of football. The game was a real nail biter – hurtling through the depths and peaks of a roller coaster ride! This was the fifth time of trying to play the quarter final of the County Shield match against West Bridgford Harriers. Even today the tie could only go ahead when both teams agreed to switch the match to Colwick as the West Bridgford school pitch was waterlogged. The FA appointed referee was unable to attend so Chris Maule volunteered to officiate.

With Owen and Miles as substitutes, Lowdham kicked off the match playing downhill. West Bridgford was the stronger team in the opening stages managing to get first to the ball and tested the Lowdham defence. The midfield seemed unable to make any tackles and too many Lowdham players were like stationary rabbits, caught in the glare of a car’s headlights. It was no surprise that West Bridgford went 1-0 up. Then they went 2-0 up and finally 3-0 up. Most of the game took place in the Lowdham half but even when we got the ball into the Harriers penalty area no one wanted to take a shot at goal. Half Time came - time for substitutions and tactical surgery to the collective team corpse. Owen and Miles came on for Cavan and Harvey and only Callum, Joel, Alex M and Ollie R remained in the same positions as they played in the first half.

Slowly Lowdham began to get back in to the game. After five minutes Ollie M played a neat ball to Adam on the right who crossed superbly for Miles to shoot high in to the net. 3-1. West Bridgford continued to press forward but now the Lowdham defence were more solid and the game became a real contest. Adam was having a brilliant game and on twenty minutes his fine run down the right resulted in another goal for the Colts, this time scored by Ollie M.

The two goals lifted Lowdham and more and more of the game was now being played in the Harriers half. Adam was now playing everywhere, a superb ball from midfield released Miles who using his pace had a one on one with the keeper, but unfortunately a fine save denied the Lowdham equaliser. Another substitution and Cavan came back on for Ollie R. However as the clock ticked down Lowdham got the third goal their second half play deserved. From a throw in on the left, Cole flicked the ball on and Ollie M scored his second goal of the game. With minutes to go in normal time another fine ball saw Ollie M through, but his shot just went agonisingly wide.  Normal time came to the end, 3-3, much to the delight of the noisy band of Lowdham spectators.

The first half of extra time saw Lowdham playing down hill again. Their second half efforts must have caught up with them because the Harriers were now doing all the harrying! Two minutes left and Callum managed to stop a shot only for another West Bridgford player to bundle in the rebound. Having climbed back to the top of the roller coaster the team and spectators were suddenly plunging to the depths.

The second half of extra time saw Lowdham once again on the ascendancy. However for all their efforts, including a fabulous sixty-yard run down the left by Adam, the Harriers were holding on. Ollie R came back on for Alex W and Cavan went into the middle. The minutes ticked by. Carl’s blood pressure went up, as did the defence. Lowdham could not find the equaliser. A cross from Cole volleyed wide by Ollie M. The last minute. A corner. A melee, Ben shoots, a save, the ball flying back to Cole, one touch, a right foot shot through a crowd of players, the goalie prostrate on the floor, the Pink shirts reeling away like bubbles in an uncorked bottle of champagne... The Harriers kick off and thirty seconds later the ref blows an end to an exhilarating big dipper ride. 4-4. But of course the excitement continues, Penalties to decide the tie.

Lowdham shoot first, Ollie M scores. West Bridgford score.

Adam scores, Callum saves 2-1

Cavan scores, Callum saves 3-1

Cole shoots wide, Harriers score 3-2

Alex Walker scores, 4-2 to the Colts.

 Full credit to West Bridgford, it was a classic match. All the goals were scored at one end. Special thanks to Chris for refereeing at short notice.

Man of the Match Callum Brown

Parents Man of the March  Adam Mullen