Huntsman 2, Blackwell Meadows 0
Huntsman entertained Blackwell Meadows in the DSIL Division 2 cup semi final on Sunday looking to halt a terrible dip in form.
Having lost four out of five since the turn of the year confidence was low in the Huntsman camp but they managed to come out on top to bag a place in the final with a 2-0 victory.
The manager decided to get rid of the new strips and go back to the old red and black colours aswell a change in shape to try and get more men forward into attacking areas in an attempt to find the winning formula. He made 4 changes from the side which was bullied in the derby against Sports Club.
Huntsman started brightly and almost went ahead from a free kick which delivered to the back post and headed back across goal but skipper Lee Redpath headed over from close range. Huntsman dictated play for long periods with Simon Ord impressing in the middle of the park alongside Dave Neale.
While Carl Bates and Bryan Durr offered good width. For all of the possession they failed to create a clear cut chances and the best chance of the first half fell to Blackwell 5 minutes before half time when the right winger got to the byline and cut the ball across the 6 yard box to the centre forward who thought he had a tap in but for a superb sliding tackle from Carl Bates. Half time 0-0 and the Huntsman half time message was to keep going and improve in the final third.
Blackwell started the second half brightly but never tested the Huntsman keeper and after around 10 minutes Huntsman began to turn the screw forcing errors in the Blackwell backline, Herd and Sproates both fired wide, before a string of corners led to good chances, Sproates headed against the bar and Neale put the rebound over and Redpath again put over from close range. Next Bry Durr saw an effort parried wide it appeared to be only a matter of time before the Huntsman dominance was rewarded.
The deadlock was finally broken on 75 minutes when a Jamie Herd corner was bundled over the line from close range by Simon Ord for his first goal for the club.
Blackwell heads immediately dropped and Huntsman sensed the game was won. Ollie Gell worked a short corner with Carl Bates and the ball ricocheted around the box before Jamie Herd forced a great close range save by the keeper.
With 5 minutes remaining the Huntsman added their second goal when Simon Ord stroked the ball into the bottom corner from the left hand side of the box to round off a man of the match performance. They managed to see the game out and have been rewarded with a tie against Yates in the final of the cup in May.
While this cup game was going on, the league top two were in action and the result went in the Huntsman’s favour meaning that if they win all of their remaining league game they are likely to win the league on goal difference.
They are massive outsiders but belief in the Huntsman camp is back hopefully meaning they can kick on, starting next week when the travel to Darlington to take on Highland Laddie in the Munden Cup first round.