ISFA Round 3 St Bede's V Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury 2 St Bede’s 1

St Bede’s faced their hardest test of the season when they faced Shrewsbury School, probably one of the best teams in the country, in the third round of the ISFA Cup on Wednesday (18th November).

On a beautiful playing surface St Bede’s started the stronger. With a ‘nothing to lose attitude’ they played with intensity and intent and Shrewsbury soon realised that Bede’s would not be intimidated by their abundance of ISFA regional players. But after being dominated for the first ten minuets, Shrewsbury began to make their mark in the game pressuring, the Bede’s defence, but not being able to get behind the back line. A pinpoint through ball from St Bede’s left Solomon March fifteen yards out at an angle, but the Shrewsbury keeper was equal to the cross goal effort.

At this stage Bede’s looked the more likely to score, but it was not to be the case. A free kick for Shrewsbury resulted in disaster for St Bede’s. A cross was met by a gangly Shrewsbury centre backs’ head who powered the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The second half provided much the same, Bede’s forced another good couple of saves from the Shrewsbury keeper and although Shrewsbury were playing with increased confidence there was no sign of a second goal.
With ten minuets left of the match and Bede’s unable to find an equaliser, coach, Mr Leggett pushed another man upfront. Now playing three-four-three St Bede’s had the clear upper hand, pushing Shrewsbury further back into their half, yet still could not score. Then drama struck in the last five seconds, when a slightly over hit pass by was claimed by the Shrewsbury keeper. But rain had made both ball and surface extremely slippery and to everyone’s surprise the ball slid away from the keeper’s grasp and, first to pounce with true striker instinct was Larry Egunjobi who proceed to calmly roll the ball into the gapping net.

Before the game could even be restarted the whistle blew for full time and the two teams both prepared for extra time. An element of stalemate occurred in the first half of extra time, with few chances. Steven Perry made a superb slide tackle inside the Bede’s box which, preventing a potentially heroic goal.

Level throughout the first half of extra time and much of the second, there was nothing to split the two teams until a fatal penalty was awarded to Shrewsbury. A through ball resulted in the Bede’s keeper bringing down a Shrewsbury player as he knocked it round him. The penalty was converted and it seemed Bede’s were dead and buried. Nonetheless Bede’s defiant nature shone through and with minuets to go the team went for broke. A fizzing shot blasted the crossbar and a clear hand ball inside the box was turned down.

It was not be St Bede’s day. However the pure grit and determination Bede’s showed was outstanding. If the boys are able to play to that standard week in week out they will undoubtedly be in contention for some silverware.

Nii-Amaa Ollennu