Street claim last gap win in Les Phillips Cup
A crowd of over 200 turned up for the Friday night game and were treated to 120 minutes of top class action as a Harry Foster goal right at the death ensured Street a place in the next round of the Les Phillips Cup. Bradford Town's efforts are to be commended as they came from 2-0 down with ten men to force extra time but Street will feel they should of been out of sight by that point after spurning a series of opportunities.
Street were quickest out the blocks and inside 10 minutes they nearly took the lead when a looping header from Jake Mawford struck the post. On 24 minutes Craig Herrod cut in from the left and his well hit effort was palmed onto he bar with Josh Wadham unable to convert the follow up. Ten minutes later the game turned in Street's favour when a tackle from Dan Cottle on Matt Hurley was deemed dangerous and he was shown a straight red card. This enabled Street to stretch the game and the numerical advantage nearly paid off straight away when a terrific run from Wadham through the heart of the Bradford defence saw him round the keeper but couldn't quite convert on the angle.
The game came alive in added time of the first half when Street scored two in very quick succession. Firstly excellent work by Herrod saw him lay it on a plate for top scorer Steve Murray to net from close range and Murray was at it again when Wadham’s cross rom the right was finished at the far post to send the Tannery faithful in happy at half time.
The second half saw the home side have plenty of the ball and Bradford happy to sit back and try and hit Street on the counter to try and claw there way back into the game. On the hour mark a brilliant run out on the left from Murray saw him evade two tackles but his pull back to Herrod was nicked away by the Bradford defender. Murray was in the action again when he was a whisker away from completing his hat-trick when he couldn't quite connect with a through ball.
Manager Rich Fey rung the changes and brought on Dave O'Hare and Harry Foster to give Street fresh impetus that would eventually prove decisive. Street continued to look for that goal which would kill the tie off but against the run of play it was Bradford who got themselves back into the game on 80 minutes. A floated ball from the left hit the out stretched arm of Lewis Tasker just inside the box and Tom Punchard was sent the wrong way from the resulting penalty. Street still looked comfortable but it certainly gave Bradford a lift as they started to throw men forward. Street should of wrapped it up a minute before full time but O'Hare's effort rattled the cross bar after he connected with a Herrod centre. Deep into injury time Bradford broke down the right after Street gave the ball away and the striker scored from close range giving Punchard no chance.
Fey and assistant Nath Rudge rallied the troops before the start of extra time and Street came out in determined fashion, with O'Hare again firing over when well placed and Wadham's snap shot being palmed away by the keeper. Bradford were looking to take the sting out the game to the frustration of the home support who were willing Street on to snatch a winner. With seconds remaining that winner came when O'Hare released Wadham down the right who beat his man and his dangerous cross into the box was not dealt with by the Bradford defence and Harry Foster was on hand to acrobatically flick the ball into the net to send the crowd into wild celebrations.
Man of the match, was Aidan Chainey. Big thank you to Roger Palmer who sponsored the game, Ross McErlain presenting the award on Roger's behalf who couldn't make the game last night. Also thanks to our Street Youth mascots many of who had a late night and stayed until the end of the game!
Next up for Street is back to league action when we welcome Clevedon Town to the Tannery Ground next Saturday 25th November, kick off 15:00.
Up the Cobbs!