GFA Minor (South) Cup Semi-Final 

Sporting Greyhound Reserves 0 Real Thornbury Reserves 0

(Real Thornbury Reserves won 5-4 on pens)

A cold, snowy afternoon saw The Rats make the trip to Clifton Downs for the second time this season for a crucial cup semi-final tie against Sporting Greyhound Reserves.

Manager Sam Alker was able to name a strong squad for the game, meaning a feeling of optimism was evident pre-match. Sub-Zero temperatures and an uneven surface meant that this game was not going to be one for the purists.

Greyhound started the game stronger, creating the best of the early chances and were unlucky not to go ahead, striking the crossbar twice in quick succession in the opening 15 minutes.

Nevertheless, Real were solid in defence with Doug Nash and Sam Alker dominating the aerial battles and Harry Page and Kevin Jones looking to prevent danger down the flanks.

By the latter stages of the first half, The Rats had begun to adjust to the surface and some excellent passing play and a great through ball by James Symons led to Steve Nash firing just wide of the mark.

Greyhound had one more chance before half time when a break through the middle led to a shot which was comfortably saved by Billy Plummer.

Thornbury started the second half stronger and began to dominate the game with Mark Willis and Calum Davies-Smith winning the battles in midfield and Gavin Clifford and Joe Hulbert exploiting the flanks to deliver good balls into the Greyhound penalty area.

Midway through the half, Thornbury rested tired legs introducing Adam Pegler and Connor Clifford who performed well and Calum Davies-Smith was unlucky not to put The Rats ahead when his header went straight at the opposition goalkeeper.

With the game coming to an end and penalties looming, Real created two more golden opportunities to win the game, first, when Joe Hulbert fired a free-kick just over the crossbar and second in the final minute when Gavin Clifford’s header was centimetres from going over the line.

So a place in the final would be decided by penalties and Greyhound’s captain was entrusted with the task of taking the first penalty which was excellently saved by goalkeeper Billy Plummer.

Both teams were then successful in the following penalty kicks with Steve Nash, Doug Nash, Gavin Clifford and Mark Willis despatching their kicks for The Rats leaving captain Calum Davies-Smith the responsibility of sending Real to the final which he took excellently to book a place in the final on April 3.

MOM – Billy Plummer