Burnley Blues 3 Hurdsfield 2

Congratulations to Burnley (CSNW) Blues on winning their first SMCCFL cup competition. The way they celebrated their 3rd and winning goal and celebrated after the final whistle you could tell they really wanted it and really enjoyed it. So, really pleased for them and I think it is great that playing football in SMCCFL can give the players such obvious enjoyment. Of course Hurdsfield would have loved to have won, but I suspect we would not have celebrated quite so enthusiastically !

As Burger wrote it was a good match to watch, with both teams playing open attacking football. I think apart from the first quarter of the match Blues probably had more attacking posession than Hurdsfield, but we always carried an attacking threat. I think we deserved to be 2-0 ahead in the first half, with some good atttacking play, although the way our second goal went in was lucky, and we had chances to make it more than 2-0. As the first half went on Blues had more attacking play but we defended well in midfield and defence and they didn't really have clear cut chances.

At half time we brought on our five subs and perhaps that change was the most significant factor in Blues turning the match around. Burger is probably also right that despite those fresh legs perhaps the rest of the team did tire. Anyway, whatever the reasons, the younger Blues team continued to play their good football and (unlike the first half) the openings in front of goal did come for them and they scored the 3 goals to win the Trophy. We brought Jonny, Dave and Paul back on towards the end to see if we could save the match but it wasn't to be.

Disappointed to lose from 2-0 at half time, but no regrets that we made 5 subs at half time - we had all agreed before the match that we wanted everyone to have a decent run-out in the final.....taking part more important than winning.

Disappointed also that we couldn't hold the event on the grass at Club AZ, but the wet weather prevented that. The 3G pitch at Birchwood at short notice enabled Finals day to go ahead (thanks to Jamie for arranging) and although it was never going to be quite the same as Club AZ the day went well. I expect all four teams would rather play on grass (I definitely think it would have suited Hurdsfield better) but in my experience 3G pitches always seem to produce good football matches.

Thanks to all who played, officiated, watched and helped to make the day happen.

UP THE OWLS