Parkdale FC – supporting Hope
Thursday evening saw an absolute classic out on the football pitch. Our ‘a’ team took on Lowdham in the quarter finals of the Gedling PSFA Champions Cup. The two very evenly matched sides both played some fantastic football in a very, very hard-fought encounter. We withstood some early pressure to score a breakaway goal to put us one nil up. We then had a period of being on top, only for Lowdham to score a scrambled equaliser. A superb headed goal from a corner put us 2-1 up at half-time.
In the second half, both sides hit the bar and post, but Lowdham eventually pounced as we failed to clear from our own box; 2-2. Lowdham hit the bar again, we did too. Their keeper made two fantastic saves, but a goal wouldn’t come for either side.
Into extra-time, 5 minutes each way. It was hot, really hot. The match had been full-on. Mistakes crept in on both sides as players tired. Still no goal, though we hit the post again. Seconds left, a speculative but well struck Lowdham shot from the right crept in at the near post. 3-2 and barely enough time to kick off. That was how it ended.
What a match! Both sides emerged with great credit. We took defeat well and Lowdham were gracious winners. Good luck to them for the semi-final.