Sterling Meadows, home of Oakham United based in Rutland and play their trade in the Peterborough & District League Premier Division.
Another county down on the list and this one I can’t recall ever being in! But it’s a Leicestershire Senior Cup tie between Oakham United & Thurnby Rangers. Oakham currently second in their league but Thurnby struggling in their league and with Oakham’s last result being a thumping good win, surely this can only go one way right?!
But it’s down the A1 and into Oakham with 20 minutes to go until kick off. Free Entry for this tie! Yippee! Some friendly faces here tonight from Thurnby that’s for sure! Out come the teams and we are ready to go! The next round awaits!
Kick Off! Thurnby have started the better here and 5 minutes in they have a corner, in it comes… It’s fallen nicely for Thurnby and it’s turned goal wards… Keeper scrambles and scoops it away! How did he not score that?!
11 minutes gone and Thurnby have another corner, in it comes again… It’s poked goal wards by Thurnby again… Saved again but so close again for Thurnby but it’s not over yet as it’s cleared to a Thurnby man on the edge of the box and he shoots… Over!
6 minutes later and Thurnby play down the right, it’s played across… The Oakham defender doesn’t deal with it and number 11 is there for Thurnby… He takes it brilliantly!! Great finish!! Thurnby deservedly in front!! 0-1! “It’s 1-0 for now!” The Thurnby fan isn’t too optimistic…
27th minute and Oakham win the ball back off Thurnby number 10 in their own half and… That was a bit reckless there from number 10… He’s off! Red Card! Silly challenger and he didn’t need to do that! I’m with the Referee on this one! Thurnby down to 10… Maybe the fan was right to be pessimistic!
1 minute later and Oakham’s number 6 has the ball from around 30 yards out and he goes for goal… OH! WHAT A GOAL!!! He’s found the top bins brilliantly! Oakham are level just like that! 1-1!
43rd minute and Oakham are growing more into this game here! The ball is hit forward into the box and it’s headed down for number 9 to volley in the box on the right… OH! He’s hit the bar! Nearly another cracking goal!! At half time the score remains 1-1.
Second half, Thurnby have started the better of the 2 but here come Oakham on 49 minutes, it’s a ball played in to number 19 in the box running in… He doesn’t get enough on it and the keeper saves! He was Offside anyway.
54 minutes now and Thurnby come forward, it’s played to number 11 in the box on the left and he shoots… OFF THE LINE!! Oakham clear.
As the half rolls on, Oakham are looking the more likely and the 10 men of Thurnby are clinging on! Maybe Penalties might be the only way for Thurnby currently…
86th minute and Oakham have a corner, in it comes… It’s headed at goal… OFF THE LINE BY THE KEEPER! Don’t think he knew too much about that one but Thurnby get it away!
Oakham continue to press… But Thurnby hold on and it will be penalties!
Oakham to go first… And it’s the keeper… He scores! 1-0!
Thurnby to respond… Great penalty! 1-1!
Oakham again… Oooooh! Just in! The keeper knows he could’ve got that one! 2-1!
Thurnby… Even better than the last one! 2-2!
Third kick for Oakham… Sit down! 3-2!
Thurnby… Same place! Same result! 3-3!
Oakham… SAVED!!
Thurnby for match point… NO!! Saved again!
Sudden death starting with Oakham… SAVED!
Thurnby to win… NO! SAVED!!
Oakham now… Best pen of the night! 4-3!
Thurnby must score… He’s deceived the keeper! 4-4!
Oakham continue… Yes! 5-4!
Thurnby must again… Yes! 5-5!
Oakham again… Poor penalty!
Thurnby to win again… THIS TIME!! Thurnby go through and look what it means! Great job Thurnby!
FT: Oakham United 1-1 Thurnby Rangers (Thurnby Rangers win 6-5 on Penalties)
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – There wasn’t any!
- The Ground: 6/10 – Very basic but it represents the club so well in the trees and wooden stand and with a tree on the club crest! I like it in that respect!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Great to meet everyone here tonight and great to see a decent cup tie!
25/40