Quarter Final of the county cup, possibly our biggest game of 11 a side football. An early morning casualty is Kyle Evans who has been unwell during the night. Josh White, Frazer and Jack McCallum start as subs. Ruston’s kick off in what is likely to be a competitive encounter for both teams. The lads soon settle into there game, good early defending by Curtis, and good battling by Sam ensures the danger is cleared. We have an early break on the Ruston goal, after a good run a pass by Ian sets Ben through but his shot just goes wide. We then win a corner, Ian takes, it is cleared back to him, and he beats his man and shoots a strong shot into the Ruston goal. 1-0. this goal settles the lad’s even more, good link up play between, Josh K and Jack F sets Ben off on another strong run. Oliver has his hands full with the Ruston’s striker but he is coping very well. Ross makes a strong tackle, but is injured in doing so and he has to be replaced by Josh White. Further good link up play between Kyle Scott and Jack F sets up another strong attack, but is cleared by the alert Ruston defence. We then have another attack, another strong run and cross by Jack F is met well by Kyle S who hits an unstoppable shot into the goal. 2-0. the lads are playing some good football, Nathan makes a couple of good saves before Ruston’s finally score, a strong run by the Ruston’s striker is not halted and he scores. 2-1. this goal unsettles what has been a steady ship; Ruston’s have another strong attack and score again. 2-2. Ruston’s are working hard now, but Oliver, Ryan, Josh W and Curtis are still battling hard in our defence. On the stroke of half time, Jack F makes another strong run he hits a paced cross, Ian arrives at the back post to power the ball into the net. 3-2. from the restart Ruston’s make a strong attack, a good shot is excellently turned around the post by Nathan to ensure we go into the break with the lead. Second Half. The second half starts well for us, Jack F makes another strong run, and he crosses an early ball which is met perfectly by Ben to score. 4-2. Again this early pressure creates more chances, Ian makes a strong run he squares the ball to Kyle S who has a first time shot go just wide of the post. Ruston's then start to pressure us again, our lads are all competing well, Frazer makes a couple of excellent tackles and interceptions, but Ruston's keep pressing, they have a strong attack, Nathan comes out and dives at the feet of the striker, the striker shot is going wide, but the striker goes over the diving Nathan, and the ref awards a penalty. The striker calmly scores past the brave Nathan. 4-3. Again this goal gives Ruston's added belief, and they continue to press hard, all our lads are equal to it, until Ruston's win a corner, the corner comes over but the ball is not cleared and the striker scores from close range. 4-4. what a game, a typical good cup tie. Ruston's create another clear opening but the excellent Nathan makes another save to keep our dreams alive. The lads are digging deep now, and prove they have passion and fight, top performances by all ensures that the game goes into extra time. Extra Time. In the first period of extra time we play with the slope, Ian makes another strong run, he beats his man and crosses a good ball, and Ben arrives, but heads the ball just wide of the post. Further pressure ends with a Kyle S shot that hits the top of the bar. The game enters the second period of extra time with both teams playing as hard as they did at the start of the game, credit to both teams for outstanding fitness. Nathan then makes another fine save, Ruston's then have a clear chance, the striker hit a good shot but thankfully it strikes the outside of the post and goes out for a goal kick. The second period is played out by both teams, and the dreaded "lottery" of penalties arrives. Ben, Ian, Kyle S, Jack Mc and Josh K are our brave volunteers, with many of the lad wishing not to take a kick. Ben takes the first kick, and scores. Ruston's then Score. Ian then scores. Ruston the score. Kyle S takes a good kick but it is saved by the keeper. Ruston then score. Jack Mc the steps up and his kick is also saved by the Ruston keeper. Ruston then score their kick and that wins them a place in the Semi Final. Match Summary. Always in the game, a hard 74 minutes of determined play, all the lads contributed to our best team performance of the season. Disappointed not to proceed to the semi final, but the lads should all hold their heads high after a performance like that, truly "incredible". MOM. Nathan, once again Nathan proved himself to be one of the top keepers in this mid lincs league. Ian's comment of the day "Ask any striker what was the greatest goal they have ever scored, and they will all say the next one!! Thanks, for taking the time to read this "epic" report, Ian.