Cup Final Report - Sheffield HC Forum

Hearts of Lions, Balls of Sheffield Steel

Part two of our big weekend saw us heading south, so midafternoon, we piled all of our stuff into the minibus, checked our passports, and we were off on our Service station review on the M1.

Sandy, Mrs Hoots to you, volunteered to drive us, and from all of the guys a massive thank you!

The first set of services didn't come up to Jaspers high nutrional standards, and Jonny was still at junction 30 with the 3rd Team MoM and the rest of the TV crew. So we went to the next one.

M and S were in residence in the next set so we settled in for the wait. The OB Unit rolled into the car park, we squeezed Jonny into the van and off we went.

We arrived at the hotel, unpacked and then set off on a hunting trip. Suprisingly the first couple of places didn't want to feed 15 lads and 1 lady! Eventually Pizza Express, top work Hooter, supplied us with our pre match meal, and we retired to the Hotel.

For most of us the night passed without incident, but there was concern for the aged players in the side so in order to allow Brayo plenty of time to warm up, a early call (5am!) was arranged, this was compounded by the TV also coming on an hour or so later!

We arrived at the very impressive Southgate set up and started to settle down. Usual chat and banter, warm up and we were ready to start.

The game started at break neck speed and from the off we were under pressure. They were definately more skillfull and were probably the better side. We conceded an early shorty which was saved but shortly after we repeated the mistake. After 2 bites at the cherry the Southgate forward finally popped in the goal from a very acute angle. Then we turned the ball over and immediately conceeded a second, a fast break, good angled run and me being stood in No Mans Land, resulted in us going 2-0 down. This seemed to kick start our game and we then spent the next 20 minutes or so pressing them, but we weren't able to test their Keeper. Then tradegy, on the stroke of half time we conceeded a 3rd, poor channeling and naive tackling resulted in a well taken 3rd goal.

So at half time we were at the bottom of a deep hole.

I'll be honest, I didn't think we would get back in the game, and all I wanted was to make sure we finished the game having given 100%. But after all the talking we kept on going and going and going. Eventually we got a break through, we scored. Gay stepped up and goooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaallllllllll! This shut the crowd up a bit and their comments of "come on Sheffield give us a game", were changing to "come on Southgate put some pressure on". The worm had turned.

Not long to go and Simmo limps of the bench "to give Lewis 2" as Millsy was breathing out of arse. Some how, a ballsed up shortie routine resulted in Simmo smashing it straight down the middle and it was now 3-2. The crowd were getting nervous by now and despite all the Southgate fans all I could hear were shouts for Sheffield!! Then Simmo, not trusting his ankle to get his feet round, slotted the equaliser with about 2 mins to go, the celebration shut the crowd up, and resulted in some damage to the ceiling as one of the many Sheffield fans jumped a little too high!! On the final whistle we had shorty and chance to win but we were liking the pitch too much so decided to play some more!!

We were looking fresher and more up for it and set about the extra time with the same gusto that we had all game. The 15 mins flew by, and then the spectre of strokes was upon us.

I won't do a blow by blow account, but Jimbo, 1 touch, 1 goal. Tom North was our unfortunate player, but they still had to score the last one! There is always 1 bad flick, all you have to do as a Keeper is make sure you save it! The player was giving it eyes all over the place, except 1 corner. He was fiddling with his stick and shaking when trying to place the ball. I nearly went too far! But managed to keep it out.

Then sudden death. Brayo, goal. Their best player stepped up, he seemed to have wandered off, I didn't know why until after the game, ask Gay for more details! Anyway guessed right, nearly got nutmeg whilst flying through the air like a graceful salmon.

Then it all went a bit surreal. Time seemed to stand still and fly by at the same time? We had a an excellent journey back, sang a couple of songs, drank some "fizzy pop". Spoke to those that couldn't be there.

BUT, we arrived at some services, and something happened. Apart from Millsy's "little boy pee". Jasper was strolling thourgh the services, a voice pipes up
"Nay then where tha from?"
Jasper replied "We're from Sheffield and we've just won the National Final!"
"Yes. Come On" the stranger replied.

It was one of the most exciting games I have played in. Full credit must go the outfield boys, they left it out there. They had no idea of when to stop. Ham came of age, and was unlucky to have received 2 yellows in the game, Brayo rolled back the years. The back 4 provided the wall of steel across the pitch, the midfield showed the fluidity of steel and the forwards set about showing the true molten power of steel.

Southgate wanted us to roll over and give them the title, sorry but we're made of stronger stuff up north. Banter and comments are all well and good when you're winning, but they are proof that your mind isn't on the game, where ours most definately was!

Top effort lads.