The
first Plate semi-final saw Team PL Blue Boys take
on Los Amblos, with both teams aiming to reach
the final. Team PL Blue Boys, having just missed
out on the Cup, had been the form team in terms
of results, collecting 10 points from their last
four games, while Los Amblos were looking to continue
their strong tournament form and push for a surprise
victory.
The
match started in dramatic fashion as Ben Austen
put Los Amblos ahead, giving them a 1-0 lead at
half-time. The English side had started brightly
and looked confident, leaving the Polish team
with plenty of work to do in the second half.
Team PL Blue Boys came out after the break determined
to turn the game around. Mirek Kurzeja equalised
early in the half, before Lukas Wojcik put the
Poles ahead 2-1. Kurzeja then struck again to
increase the lead to 3-1, giving his team some
breathing space while maintaining the momentum
in their favour.
Los
Amblos continued to fight and Ade Chester scored
his third goal of the day to make it 3-2, adding
late drama. Despite the pressure, Team PL Blue
Boys held on, with their superior form and composure
proving decisive. The match ended 3-2, sending
the Poles through to the Plate Final. For Los
Amblos it was game over – for this year. However,
they have already served notice that they will
return next year for their 10 th anniversary and
we look forward to seeing them then and thank
them for their ongoing support of our events over
the years.
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The
second Plate semi-final saw Hatfield take on Bristol
Wanderers, with both teams aiming to reach the
final. On paper, Hatfield had the stronger results
in the group stage, winning both of their games
against English opposition while only losing to
the sides from Poland and Ukraine. Bristol Wanderers,
meanwhile, had scraped through to this stage with
a dramatic last-gasp win in their final group
game, and that momentum appeared to be carrying
into this match.
From
the first whistle, the game was competitive and
closely contested. Both teams battled hard in
midfield and chances were limited, but it was
Bristol Wanderers who found the breakthrough.
Captain Russell McAulay scored his fourth goal
of the day to put the visitors 1-0 up at half-time,
giving Bristol the advantage heading into the
second half. Hatfield pressed for an equaliser
after the break, but the Wanderers' defence remained
solid, repelling their efforts and maintaining
discipline in key moments.
The
second half ended without further goals, and the
match finished 0-1 to Bristol Wanderers. It was
a hard-fought battle with both sides showing determination
and commitment, but Bristol's early strike proved
decisive, sending them through to the Plate final
and leaving Hatfield to reflect on a valiant but
ultimately unsuccessful effort. Still, Hatfield
has impressed on debut and if they return, which
we hope they do, we are sure there is more to
come from them.
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