Not a good day at the office and overall a poor advert for a cup semi-final!
We were up against it from the start with team selection hampered by rules that meant players who had played in the Quarter final were not eligible for the semi-final. Our opponents did not accept our request to kick-off at 2.00pm. A genuine penalty appeal for hand ball that generated an en mass response from players and supporters was turned aside by the referee. Losing our goalkeeper to concussion and then having the game delayed for 25 minutes for the air ambulance when perhaps it should have been abandoned. Then losing to the only goal which was an own goal diverted past a substitute ‘keeper. This just about sums up the game and fair dues to Caister who won; good luck to them in the final against Spixworth to be played in May.
The early action was rather tame with neither side seemingly able to put any passes together with hardly any clear goal chances.
But Wroxham had the best case for a penalty on 22 minutes when a Caister player fell on the ball in the area and appeared to put his hands round the ball. Despite loud simultaneous appeals from players and supporters, referee Neil Jacques dismissed them and allowed play to go on as Caister cleared the ball.
The game then turned on 37 minutes when it became apparent that Wroxham ‘keeper Kingsley Barnes, playing against his old club would be unable to continue. The player was clearly disoriented by an earlier knock and Wroxham physio Mark Abbs insisted he was replaced. Danny Rogers took over in goal as the game passed on as a pretty much a non event to half time.
After the break, play continued with Caister’s No 11 going closest as his shot looped over Rogers before hitting the bar and being cleared.
But then the game was stopped for fully 25 minutes as the air ambulance arrived although Barnes who was still in a disoriented state was taken to hospital by normal ambulance as paramedics assessed his condition.
Surprisingly, the game was allowed to continue but was something of a non event given the circumstances. The only significant moments were when Bradley Spooner created an opening for himself but shot straight at the ‘keeper and when Mac Gee likewise had a chance but sliced his effort way wide. For Caister, their No 7 had a clear chance but shot wide.
It was inevitable the game would be decided by an only goal and it came around the 75th minute. Wroxham failed to get the ball away and a mistake allowed Caister to get in a cross from the right. Under no real pressure, Ed Abury stuck out a boot and unfortunately it diverted and rolled past Rogers into the bottom corner to give Caister the lead.
Wroxham then made a further change with Abery taking over from Rogers in goal as the outfield player assumed his normal forward duties. Despite some huff and puff Wroxham were unable to get themselves back in the game as Caister players were delighted with the final whistle as they found themselves in the final.