Gunnislake 1 - 2 Torpoint

Scorers: Easterbrook, Hussey (pen)

Lineup: WestallM, Quintrell, WhiteJ, WhiteS, Hussey, Cotter, Rowe, Northcott, Blair, WestallC, Easterbrook.

Subs: Payn, Ferguson, Carter.

A blustery afternoon at Gunnislake with a place in the Cup Final at stake, against a side who've beaten us twice in the league. The hour leading up to kick off was quiet, myself included, as you could feel the nerves. Conceding in the 3rd minute was a huge wake up call though and from there on I can't express how proud I was. Gunni's goal came from a free kick launched into our box from inside their own half, guided in with a brilliant glancing header. A sloppy freekick to give away having discussed needless freekicks with the wind against us in the opening 45, but good old Rower likes to kick players not in gold and black. He continued to do so for the next 45minutes, as well as getting skinned by Ricky Coton a several times.
The lads reacted positively though instead of beating themselves up. Against the wind it was going to be a tough half, but we equalised in the 19th minute. Adam Blair was found on the inside right with time to weigh up his options. Luckily he opted against my shouts of get at the full back with space behind him and looking like a carthorse, but Adz drove in an excellent low drive to Easterbrook who finished into the corner for his 18th of the season. This lifted the team and for the next 10mins we defended well and broke quickly, with Easterbrook in particular on a high. It was his skill and trickery that got us into the lead. Tying the Gunni defence in knots he was brought down inside the box, and the well positioned referee pointed to the spot. Hussey despatched to put us into the lead on 27mins.
It was far from plain sailing though, with RCoton and McAllion in particular stamping their authority on the match. McAllion broke inside the box, beat one, and was upended by WhiteS but his pleas were waived away, not for the first time in the game. But his threat was evident. A number of set pieces were defended well and we did our best to break through the wind when we could. WestallM was enjoying himself in goal wasting more time than I've ever seen, with Gunni's frustrations only encouraging the rascal to increase his teasing. If I'm honest, Gunni were the better side in the first half as we lacked quality in possession. 2-1 up at HT was a welcomed scoreline.

A HT rallying call asking for more quality, identifying Gunni's threats and now with the wind in our favour, it was an eventful 2nd half, not just because of the football. Gunni aren't a side to give up the fight, so they created some. BCoton was firey as usual and saw a straight red around the hour mark after a headbutt on WestallC, who had been at each other throughout. WestallC not an innocent party got booked later on after a foul chasing down the pacey no.2 out wide. It was the no.2 again the catalyst with his driving runs and direct play, was fouled by Cotter around 65mins. Both crashed to the ground, sparking a melee in front of the home dugout, with players and home manager/subs on the pitch, it was a chaotic 30seconds. The toughest situation for any referee to deal with, with only one pair of eyes. Even more so in a heated Semi Final whilst being assessed. Quintrell for Torpoint correctly saw red, making it 10 v 10 for the remaining 25. I think the only other card shown was for the Gunni gaffer for entering the pitch. The resulting free kick was then offside and the whole situation calmed quite quickly. With spaces appearing and tiring legs, chances increased. Easterbrook was played in behind with a lofted ball, but a trampoline touch saw the ball go further than any passes he makes and the chance was gone. Ferguson was subbed on and after his brace on Weds night he was fired up and causing issues out on the right. The game should've been wrapped up with Torpoint's 3rd, as a well timed run from substitute Payn was put through on goal with enough time for a boiling cup of tea to go cold. Too much time to overthink things he fluffed it and the chance was gone. Luckily this didn't spur Gunnislake into action and the 3 forwards in Easterbrook, Ferguson and WestallC on the break weren't content. A silly amount of minutes were wasted by two of them with corners and free kicks won. A late chance for Ferguson went close, after carving through the box following a short corner intended to waste more time. It was the last meaningful event and the referee blew the final whistle to end my worry.

A real tough encounter for the official who I thought was strong minded throughout. The toughest job in football but he didn't buckle and it's good to see him back himself throughout the game. Hopefully his assessment was positive.

Gunnislake are a good side and no surprise it was a close game. They bombarded us at times but the team defended well on the whole, with WhiteJ in particular colossal at the heart of our defence. Immensely proud of a young team digging deep and being solid both mentally and physically in a stern test. Next week we're back at The Mill to meet our opposition for the Cup Final in Foxhole. A chance for an early blow.