Mellor set off with real pace and a commitment to win this big game and went 4-0 up in the first quarter, with goals from Sam, Drew and Tom. The play was gritty, confident and the boys showed great determination however, on the start of the second quarter, Cheadle Hulme came right back at us and we looked a different side from the first quarter’s performance. They scored 2 goals within 2 minutes mid way through the quarter taking the score to 4-2 and we looked sloppy. We did score a fifth, which was nicely taken by Joey who slotted a pass through to Drew to finish it, taking the quarter time score to 5-2 in our favour. At the start of the third quarter, Ben went on a solo run and scored what looked from the sidelines like a nice goal but sadly, it was disallowed for a crease violation. Cheadle kept pressing and got one back to take things to 5-3. We weren’t looking comfortable and it seemed like the momentum had swung in their favour. Then, Will took a shot to the knee and went down. He stayed down for a little while and he seemed hurt. He got up bravely but you could see he wasn’t happy. Just as our coaches were trying to signal for a time out, they scored again, with Will still hobbling around his goal line. The score was now 5-4. Will battled on and Drew managed to get another one on target taking the third quarter score to 6-4 to us. Things were still very tense and the game looked like it could go either way. Just into the first minute of the final quarter, their keeper went to punt one out but sadly, he pushed his stick a little too far back and was judged to have taken the ball over his own line by the hawk eyed Referee. It made the score 7-4 but it was a shame for their man. All of a sudden, it looked like the game was swinging in our favour again. However, Cheadle Hulme didn’t give up and kept pressing. They kept passing the ball round and eventually made it 7-5 and then, within a further 2 minutes, it quickly became 7-6 and disappointingly for us, 7-7. Again, it felt like the match was slipping away from us. It really was anyone’s game at this point. Cheadle Hulme didn’t relinquish the pressure and were rewarded in the final five minutes of normal time with another goal to make it 8-7 in their favour – the first time in the match that they had been in front. Nail biting moments however, we stayed strong and with 4 minutes 30 seconds to go, Ben Tipping got a shot away at what looked like 80mph but it just skimmed the post. Ali Hodgson called a strategic time out with only 1 minute 30 seconds left on the clock to calm the players and collect ourselves. Shortly after Drew popped one in to make it 8-8 at the final whistle. Extra time beckoned! We’ve only been into extra time once before and the pressure was mounting. Could we do it ? or was our chance of a third consecutive Flags final slipping away? With only 5 minutes extra each way, there wasn’t a lot to play with but Drew managed to find space and slot the ball away to pull us ahead 9-8 at the end of the first period of extra time. It was still all very tense but some clever play towards the end of the second tranche of extra time saw the ball being held by Drew behind the Cheadle Hulme net. At that point, the opposition didn’t seem to have enough left in the tank to want to chase it down and Drew managed to keep it for what seemed like 2 minutes. On the stroke of the final whistle, Tom fired one in which did hit the back of the net but we didn’t need it – we had won 9-8. Another final beckons! Well done boys – a great semi and a great result. Strong performances today from everyone but I would like to give a special mention to our defensive line up, with Josh ever the stalwart and it was great to see Joey and Alex having a really solid game, well done guys.
Stats
Saves – Will 10
Goals – Sam 2, Drew 5, Tom 1, their keeper 1
Assists – Sam 2, Joey 1, Tom 2, Josh Haining 1

Man of the match – Drew (for his unfaltering commitment and determination and relentless physical assaults on the opposition)

Match Reporter - Paul Griffiths