Game
3 in Group A saw the two teams with opening games
coming face-to-face as 9
Nana Budds of England met Shabbier
of Spain. A win for either side would virtually
guarantee qualification and a draw would both
teams in prime to position to make the Cup but
still with work to do. Both teams played confidently
and were evenly matched. In contrast to the flurry
of goals in the opening two games we would see
just one goal in the opening period of this match.
The goal, and first blood, went to Shabbier thanks
to Sam Gabriel.
The
next goal was always going to prove crucial in
deciding the destination of the points and it
was Shabbier who extended their lead to 2-0 through
MP Matthews. 9 Nana Budds were not done though
and they could be forgiven for being demoralized
and folding but not a bit of it. They believed
there was still something in this game for them.
They were proved correct when Jack Kennedy reduced
the arrears to 2-1. They pushed forward to grab
the equaliser which ultimately eluded them as
Shabbier held firm, despite a frantic finish,
to claim all 3 points.
Although
it was early doors it was must win time for CSF
Oz and Art Hosteleria
after first game defeats. A draw, whilst better
than a defeat, would leave a lot of work to do
going into the final game. Art Hosteleria emulated
Shabbier on Pitch A by taking a Spanish lead against
their English visitors. Borja Fernandez Gimeno
got the ball rolling before Juan Soriano Ramon
made it 2-0 at half-time. The start of the second
period saw Art Hosteleria go 3-0 up thanks to
Agusti Lopez Nacher's 2 nd goal in as many games.
3-0 was the way it ended meaning CSF Oz were destined
for the Plate. Art Hosteleria were still in the
mix for making Cup. |