U16 South win against Wheathampsted Wanderers Sharks in County Cup

Harvesters U16 South were in County Cup action at home to Wheathampsted Wanderers Sharks in what we knew would be a tough match against a good Mid Herts team.

Wheathampsted had the better of the early stages and got in on goal a couple of times before they were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute which they scored. Seven minutes later there was a free kick to Harvesters around half way which was floated in and Joseph Boyle was pushed resulting in another free kick just outside the penalty area. Louis Di Carlo hit it to the side of the wall and beyond the keeper.

Harvesters now began to take control despite playing into a strong wind. Unfortunately in the 27th minute the ball wasn’t cleared and Wheathampsted took advantage to score to make it 1-2 and it stayed that way until half time.

Harvesters had the wind in the second half and continued to press but either the Wheathampsted keeper or defence blocked the shots. A switch of formation with 10 minutes to go packing the forward line with goal scorers was called for to get back on level terms. Lucas King swung in a corner on 72 minutes which Sam Mistry struck home to equalise at 2-2.

Two minutes later another attack and the ball made its way to Harry Ruane in the six yard box who smashed the ball home to put Harvesters in front for the first time. Just a few minutes left to see out the game but Wheathampsted got a free kick in a wide area and were able to head it in to make it 3-3 at the end of normal time.

Into extra time and Harvesters continued to have the wind and took advantage five minutes in when TJ Barton hit a cracker from 30 yards out to make it 4-3 to Harvesters. Wheathampsted weren’t out of it and broke away and the shot was goal bound but Nathan Thornton cleared it off the line. With a minute left of the first half of extra time Joseph Curran dispossessed a Wheathampsted defender to make it 5-3.

The second half of extra time started well when Lucas King ran up the left and squared the ball to Fazan Uddin to tap in and make it 6-3. There was still work to be done and vital saves from Ryan Mason and crucial challenges by Zak Bensissi throughout the match saw Harvesters home for a fine victory and a place in the Quarter Finals.