Semberija

1-2

Mid Cheshire

Miric, 80 (pen)

 

Critchley 5

 

 

Davies, 84


UEFA Regions Cup
Intermediary Round
Gradski, Bijeljina
08 November 2004

England's Mid Cheshire League side braved the cold and incessant rain conditions in Bjeljina today to win their opening game of the Intermediary Group 3 against the hosts, Semberija of Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1.

The rain had started during Sunday evening and continued all day. The players had trained in the conditions in the morning and the rain showed no sign of abating.

The side could not have wished for a better start as David Murray fired in a free kick from the right hand side, and Neil Critichley rose to nod home unmarked from six yards, after only four minutes of the game.

The wet surface was conducive to the team's passing game at the start but as the game wore on, the pitch conditions became much more difficult. Richard Mottram in goal had to be on top form as soon as Englnd had opened the scoring, with a great save from a Bosnian free kick.

Again after 30 minutes Mottram tipped over for a corner. Neil Larkin was harshly cautioned on 26 minutes as the referee thought he had dived in the box, which denied England a definite penalty.

Just before half time, Critchley had a fantastic lob over the keeper just tipped over by a full stretch Bosnian keeper. England manager Nick Armitage was not happy with his players at half time and let them know in his half time talk.

It was the Bosnians who started the brighter with early pressure and chances but the English centre half pairing of Boardman and Davies were equal to anything that was thrown at them.

On 60 minutes Jerry Coll received his second yellow card of the competition for a late challenge (he had been booked against Malta in Slovenia) and must now sit out the next game against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

The game took a turn for the worse in the 80th minute as following a prolonged Bosnian attack, Larkin was adjudged to have fouled the Bosnian 17 and the hosts were awarded a penalty. This was duly converted and England were finally roused.

The next five minutes were constant England pressure and a corner was won on the left. A quick short corner was played and a driven cross was met by Steve Davies who planted his header in the top corner.

The relief was there for all to see as the bench exploded with joy. The remaining five minutes plus three minutes of injury time took an eternity but the Danish referee finally blew for time.

Nick Armitage said after the game "At 1-1 my heart sank as we knew the Irish were winning against San Marino, anything less than a win would have made our job almost impossible. We have given ourselves the best possible start and the game against Ireland is now a possible decider."

As the game ended, snow began to fall and continued for 6 hours which has left the countryside looking just like a Christmas card.

Semberija: 1 Manojlovic, 2 Pejic, 3 Ajdukovic, 4 Milanovic, 5 Rankic, 6 Miric, 7 Jurisic, 8 Vasic, 9 Grujicic, 10 Krezovic, 18 Vujic, 
Subs 11 Dzlnic, 12 Trninic, 13 Nikolic, 14 Katic, 15 Subotic, 16 Savic, 17 Alihodzic.
Coach Milorad Savic

Mid Cheshire: 1 Mottram, 4 Boardman, 3 Fraser, 5 Davies, 6 Coll, 7 Pennington, 8 Murray, 9 Critchley, 11 Gahgan, 12 Robinson, 16 Larkin, 
Subs 2 Staczewski, 10 Towey, 13 Clare, 14 Whitfield, 15 Farrelly, 17 Jones, 18 Paget,
Coach Nick Armitage