Season 2008-09

WITH Polska down to the bare bones of their squad due to injuries, what started out as a potential damage limitation morning turned into a game full of disappointment for Polska as they went within a whisker of grabbing a point against a resilient Scraptoft Garage side. In an incredible 11 goal thriller that saw Polska take an early 2-0 lead thanks to a clever lob from Chris Cooper in the third minute as he saw the keeper off his line and then a ninth minute strike from Chris Rudkin, the controversial moment came in the very final minute. With the scores at 6-5, sub Luke Dyke managed to beat Josh Pitsilides to the ball to poke home under the advancing keeper. There was no complaint from the Scraptoft contingent as Polska celebrated what they thought was a draw, only for ref Corey Shackleton to rule the goal out for a push by Dyke. In fairness to the referee, he had an excellent game, and gave what he saw as his opinion, but it was a harsh blow on Polska who had shown great character throughout the game and deserved a point for their endeavours. Scrappy had come back to 2-2 with goals on 13 and 14 minutes, only for Cooper to restore Polska's advantage on 18 minutes to make it 3-2. But Scrappy then drew level at 3-3 on 30 minutes before converting a corner right on half time to make it 4-3. They then went 5-3 up on 47 minutes which looked like it might kill Polska off before Rudkin again pulled one back from Polska's first corner of the game on 52 minutes to make it 5-4. Tom Hill then made it 6-4 with a sweet strike on 60 minutes, but Polska pushed their hosts back in the their own half for the next ten minutes, with Dave Ilnicki finding the net when his shot went in off the post on 64 minutes for 6-5. But it wasn't to be for the visitors, who can nevertheless take great heart from a tremendous display against a top side despite their bad fortune at the end.

MATCH STATS:

Shots on target: POLSKA: 8 SG: 13

Shots off target: POLSKA: 5 SG: 5

Corners: POLSKA: 2 SG: 12

Offside: POLSKA: 3 SG: 5

Yellows: 0

Reds: 0

edited by Mark (23/11/2008)