It was a big ask, but the Under 12 Juniors beat league leaders Walsall Phoenix in the Quarter Final of the Cup on Saturday 18th Jan and, in doing so, have qualified for the semi-final of the 'A' Cup.
It was an excellent performance all round from our lads who quickly took the lead on five minutes when Seim Tesfagabr picked up a loose ball and beat five players in a mazy run with his shot going in off the post. Both teams then took part in a tough midfield battle with some half chances happening at both ends, but both defences looked relatively untroubled. This changed 5 minutes before the break when Seim doubled his personal tally and the lead when a great through ball from Aaron Hudson found him on the edge of the box, and he thundered it home.
The lads were worthy of the interval lead as they had the better of the play in the first half. Still, Phoenix is a quality side, and they upped their game in the second period, but Leek Wootton stood firm and looked relatively comfortable until a great strike in the closing stages of the half let in the Phoenix attacker and he rifled home to set up a frantic last 7 or 8 minutes. The game then opened up a bit more as the home side pushed for the equaliser and half chances came and went at both ends however once again there were no clear cut chances as both defences had good games. The whistle blew, and Leek Wootton took the game and with it a place in the semi-final but well played both sides.
In the last four, they are at home against Allscot United, a club located between Shrewsbury & Telford. The teams have played each other before with three very tight games. Ironically, both sides met last season, in the semi-final of the B Cup. Alscott, with home advantage, took the lead halfway through the second half and then two late goals followed as Wootton chased the game; the eventual 3-0 scoreline didn't reflect the closeness of the game. The two teams then followed this up with a 1-1 league result and this year Alscott just came out on top again in another tight league game 2-1 at their ground. So three very tight games but Wootton are yet to come out on top - let's hope with home advantage this year they can go one better. The game will be played in February.
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