GUNNERS HIT BACK TO SECURE MEMORABLE WIN
09/05/2007 Norfolk League Cup Round 2, 2nd leg at Collins Park
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ASH SAMBA BOYZ 3
(Wade 11, Gattuso 20, Gray 42 pen)
HM GUNNERS 4
(Holland 46, 48, Coffey 51, 68)
HM GUNNERS WIN 6-3 ON AGGREGATE
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A dramatic second half comeback saw the Division Two newcommers HM Gunners stun the Norfolk League champions Ash Samba Boyz yo earn a place in the Quarter Finals.
The Gunners had convincingly won the first leg at Dynamite Canyon 2-0 thanks to a brace of free-kicks from their emerging midfield star Benny Coffey and prior to kick off were looking good for progression against a Samba Boyz side that despite their league success had yet to produce a memorable cup run.
However, in an even first half, the Samba Boyz took their chances to completly turn the tie on its head. First, striker Ashley Wade opened the scoring with a powerful effort from distance after just 11 minutes. Nine minutes later and Gennaro Gattuso showed how lethal he can be in the penalty area after being picked out by young defender Antonio Quintino.
Three minutes before the break the hosts led the tie for the first time. Ritchie Steadman pulled back Neo Gray in the penalty area. The striker picked himself up and made it 3-0 from the spot.
The Samba Boyz were now coasting towards the Quarter Finals....or were they? Whatever Gunners boss Hugh Gunn said to his players at half time certainly had an impact as within 6 minutes of the restart, the Gunners wern't only back in front in the tie, but had effectively sealed their progression.
Striker Tim Holland struck twice within the first three minutes of the restart - the first with a heder from a Mick Routledge cross - the second a predatory effort from close range. Then on 51 minutes, Coffey again showed his outstanding free-kick ability as he left Darius Laidlow with no chance to level the match up at 3-3.
The Samba Boyz now needed another three goals for progression and it didn't look likely with the Gunners storming forward with great confidence and making the hosts look like the Division Two side. Finally the winner on the night came - and it was Coffey again who struck his fourth goal of the tie. This time it was a long range effort that defeated the keeper.
That proved to be the end of the scoring as the Gunners earned a richly deserved victory on the night. They created an outstanding twelve chances away from home despite the fact they were playing a side two divisions higher than them!
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Ash Samba Boyz: Laidlow; Billingham, Casillo, Quintino; Evans, Brightwell, Young, Gattuso; Wade, Gray, Kelly.
HM Gunners: Osmond; Acombley, Steadman, Lima; Key, Hope, Coffey, Jekyll; Routledge, Holland, Mulligan.
Match screen can be found at:
http://www.xperteleven.com/cupGameDetails.aspx?GameID=453703&dh=5
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