Whilst
Totoriino were marching towards the Group B
title on Pitch 1 we had CleanUpCrew versus Tilbury
Douglas on Pitch 2. CleanUpCrew currently in
third position. Good run of form with 2 wins
in a row and a goal difference of 12-4 over
that period. CleanUpCrew needed to avoid defeat
to clinch a place in the Plate. They could reach
the Cup if they won and the match on Pitch 3
was a draw or an RJW United victory. Tilbury
Douglas were a point behind in fifth position.
They could still reach the Cup with a win (and
the match on Pitch 3 ending in a draw). A win
would guarantee them a place in the Plate at
the bare minimum. A draw would also see them
reach the Plate provided RJW United lost their
final game.
The
match itself was a cagey affair, marked by discipline,
concentration, and a sense of occasion. Tilbury
Douglas started brightly, pressing high and
looking to force mistakes from the CleanUpCrew
backline. However, the form team of the group
defended resolutely, marshalled well by their
keeper and centre-backs. Josue Jerome and Rajaan
Prince showed glimpses of danger on the break
for CleanUpCrew, but clear chances were few
and far between.
In
the second half, the tension grew. Tilbury Douglas
pushed more bodies forward knowing that only
a win would realistically be enough. CleanUpCrew,
having scored 12 goals in their last two games,
were unusually quiet going forward (credit to
the Tilbury Douglas defence) — but they knew
a point would be enough to get the job done.
When the final whistle blew, CleanUpCrew celebrated
a third unbeaten game in a row and a well-earned
place in the Plate competition.
We
thought Tilbury Douglas were unlucky last year
to finish 4th with just 1 defeat and an even
goal difference. This year they were even more
unlucky as just 1 defeat and an even goal difference
meant a 5th place finish and elimination. In
both cases they had 3x draws which can really
limit your progress up the table. It's pretty
incredible that with just 2 defeats in 10 group
games they've reached the Plate once and been
eliminated. Even just turning one of those draws
into a win would have made a huge difference.
|