Poppies 2 Cherries 3
Late Cup drama at Victoria Park
The Cherries progressed through to the next round of the Industrial Boiler’s Wessex League Cup with a dramatic win in an action-packed finale, in what had been an innocuous game until the 80th minute.
With both sides rotating their squads, it was Poppies who started brightest, forcing several saves from Theo Crane alongside hitting the woodwork, so it was against the run of play when Sean Hart put the Cherries in front. The lead was not held for long as Harry Smith equalised for the home side and the honours were even at half-time.
Sturminster started the second half brighter, creating more chances, but not really troubling the Poppies goalkeeper. A plethora of substitutions from both sides changed the nature of the game, as tired defences were stretched by fresh players from the bench. One of those substitutes, Lucas Davies, picked up a weak clearance and rifled the ball home to give Poppies a lead with just 10 minutes left. This galvanised Sturminster who attacked with purpose, finding space on the wings and whipping some dangerous balls across goal. Just as it seemed that Poppies would repel the attacks, a cross found George Coleman at the far post to steer home an equaliser with minutes remaining. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, managers were lining up lists of penalty takers, however there was one last twist to the game, a through ball saw Adam Hall hold off defenders in the penalty area and tee up Will Guppy to fire a winner into the corner of the net with the last kick of the game, sparking jubilant scenes amongst players and travelling fans.
PoTM – Will Guppy
