Season 2014-15

LEICESTER POLSKA are through to their first ever County Cup Final (Saturday Vase) on Thursday 19 March after beating Sileby WMC 3-1.

In an action packed and controversial game, Polska nevertheless performed with tremendous credit, and, given that they lost key players Dominik Krol and Jarek Kwiatkowski the day before the game due to illness, this was a superb effort. The work rate and the team spirit amongst the players was exceptional, and to win a semi final using a centre half pairing that were playing together for the first time ever highlights just what a win this was. Andrzej Kosiorek had previously only played 75 minutes at centre half (the previous game against Birstall) and Marcin Krogulec - once a regular Polska centre half - had not played in that position for 4 years. Perhaps it showed as Sileby started the game the better side - they controlled the first 20 minutes, but couldn't punish Polska. However, in the 6th minute, Spider Pajak looked like he had brought down a Sileby forward for a certain penalty - yet the referee decided the Sileby player had made the most of the challenge and cautioned him for diving. It was a controversial decision, and one which certainly had Polska breathing a sight of relief. After 20 minutes though, Polska sprang into life, and dominated the rest of the half, pressurizing the Sileby defence. Eventually the pressure paid off, and after Kucinger found himself one on one with Sileby keeper Harry Wright, his shot lacked enough power but the deflection fell kindly and Savo Wieczorek eventually put the chance away on 44 minutes, giving Polska a 1-0 half time lead.

Polska kicked off the second half, and straight away won a corner. Then came another controversial moment as Sileby looked like they had equalised on 54 minutes. Yet the 'goal' was flagged offside, and after the referee and his assistant had a long discussion, the effort was disallowed. Sileby players and their bench were not happy, eventually leading to manager Shaun Wilkes being 'sent to the stands'. Worse was to come for Sileby, as just a minute later, Savo took advantage of a huge defensive mix up with Sileby keeper colliding with his own defender, leaving Wieczorek to guide the ball into an empty net and put Polska 2-0 up. Goalkeeper Wright was injured badly and could not continue, so Sileby had to use a stand in keeper. Polska sensed it was their day, and on 66 minutes Sileby were reduced to 10 men after losing a player with a straight red due to a deemed studs up challenge. 2 minutes later, Radek Dobrzynski replaced Dawid Wasik, and within a minute had scored to put Polska 3-0 up, after scoring with a great finish from a Sav cross. Jedraszczyk then replaced Mazurek on 71 minutes and Polska seemed able to drop down a gear, with the cup final in sight. Sileby then pulled a goal back through Alex Hart in the 96th minute, but it was scant consolation, and Polska now march on to Holmes Park almost 2 years to the day since their humbling at the hands of MDH Knights, and looking to put that harrowing night right.

The ENTIRE TEAM deserved to be 'man of the match!'