Racing Club Fantana v North Romford 22/01/2006

North Romford lost 3-2, despite taking the lead, in an end-to-end Cup quarter final tie that killed off any hope they may have had of silverware.
Goals;
Neville
S'ts

It had been said that this would be the game of the season as the winners would surely go on and be favourites to lift the Cup, and it was a game that lived up to its billing.
From the very first whistle it was clear that NRFC were up for this one and Fantana were clearly shaken by the commitment on show.
The noise level was high, the spirit was even higher and it seemed that every lose ball had a yellow and blue shirt snapping onto the end of it.

The passion was there for all to see, but Fantana are a strong side and a well organised one at that. They made it hard for NRFC to create chances in a very tight first half.
The midfield trio of Nev, JJ and Cassidy were well on top and did start off a few flowing moves but the end product just seemed too hard to come by.
Clifton’s non-stop battling out wide on the left was nearly rewarded when S’ts helped it on to him, his bursting run and shot was saved well by the keeper.
Another good move down the left shortly after, involving Nev and Clifton, ended with JJ curling an effort past the keeper but over the bar.

For all their hype Fantana were made to look very average at times in the first half, they defended deep to combat the attacks from NRFC’s midfield but at times had 5 players back against just the one NRFC forward. They were clearly expecting weaker opponents in this game and had adjusted their tactics accordingly.
However Fantana did pose a constant threat going forward, with runners from the midfield and balls into space causing problems.
A few well timed (and some not so well timed) tackles were enough to end most of these attacks, and when the home side did manage to break through they found Brownie in top form pulling off some fine saves and rushing out to collect any scraps.

NRFC were probably the happier side at the break, and if they could keep the tempo up and keep the game close they knew they had a shot at winning this tie.
Fantana were clearly not happy and made a tactical change, taking off ‘Fat Legs - Tight Shorts’ (who was like a whale swimming up stream in the Themes against our midfield) and sending on ‘Big Gloves’ who’s claim to be Pascal Chimbonda only made things worse for him.


After some good pressure at both ends and a string of misses from Fantana, North Romford forced a corner on the counter attack.
JJ whipped it in, and skipper Neville was unmarked in the box to turn home the opener. A well deserved break through that was greeted by a team bundle!

Fantana went in search of the equaliser and got it just after a nasty clash of heads had left Spice dazed. As the centre back lay flat out you would expect some sympathy or concern… not a chance, his team mates just stood there mocking the ridiculous noise he made when he fell. After he told Gregg that he could ‘still fu*king hear him’ everyone assumed he was back to his old self.
Shortly after NRFC conceded a corner and with Spice still reeling from the clash of heads they looked less organised then usual. A quick corner was played to one of the Fantana players on the edge of the box, who’s shot was screaming wide to shouts of ‘all day’ until it was deflected in from 7 yards out. The forward’s reactions have to be commended, but why is it in football the ball always seems to fall right for other teams?

North Romford were then forced into a re shuffle as Spice (head) and Bosh (Hammy) were forced off. Ricky came on at full back with Waddy pushing into the middle and Alex went out wide. North Romford had to sacrifice the attacking creativity of JJ at this point however his performance at the back for the remainder of the game was 1st class.

The goal along with a host of changes and seemed to rock the confidence of NRFC and they soon fell behind.
Fantana were having no joy down the middle so pushed the ball into the wings at every opportunity. Their left-winger put over a dangerous ball and it was fired home from close range.
With NRFC still reeling, Fantana doubled their lead in near identical style. A good ball in was met by a fierce shot, this time the shot was blocked, but fell kindly again to a green shirt before being dispatched into the net.

Most teams would have thrown in the towel at this stage but there was a never say die attitude about NRFC, and they threw everything at it in true Cup style, switching from one up front to three.

The change had an immediate effect, Clifton went on a powerful bursting run and made it inside the box before being brought down by a tired looking Fantana defender. S’ts stepped up to slot home the penalty and there was a glimmer of hope for the away side again.

It was at this stage that NRFC really threw everything at it, Neville was the first to go close but as he scrambled an effort towards the goal it was cleared just short of the line, despite his hopeful (but quite loud) appeals that it had gone in the ref played on.
Then a long throw into the box found its way to Waddy, his header was not strong enough to beat the keeper, and as the rebound fell it was just too far to S’ts left. He stretched to meet the ball on the up and produce a half volley but could not keep it down and it flew over the bar.
There was still time for one last mad scramble, NRFC had every single player in the Fantana half (Brownie and Gregg went up there for what seemed like 10 minutes) and won a free kick on the right wing. The free kick was dropped into the box and the pinball began. Four or five blocks met four or five shots and the ball was finally cleared.

With just seconds remaining the game threatened to boil over for the very first time, which is testament to both sides after such a fast and fiery game. I guess that Hollamby had just kicked their left winger one too many times, but still it was people off the pitch that had a problem with it as opposed to the players on it who just got on with it.

All in all much respect was gained in this game by two sides that produced a display of passion, tough tackling with quality football to match.
North Romford can certainly hold their heads high at the end of a game that – had the draw been kinder - could have, would have, and maybe should have been an amazing Cup Final.

Browno
Hollamby, Cor-deli Spice, Waddy,
Bosh, JJ, Nev, Cassidy, Clifton,
S'ts,
Subs. Ricky, Alex,


to see their side of the story ...
http://www.racingclubfantana.co.uk/