Surrey Guildford Triumphs In Epic Battle

Going into the BCYSSL Challenge Cup final Surrey Guildford United definitely felt the advantage of playing the role of underdog. In their two meetings this season CMF Roma had defeated SGU by a single goal, 1-0 and 2-1. On both occasions the deciding goal had come very late in the game and SGU certainly felt short-changed with the results. In the standings, Roma sat second and SGU trailed in a distant seventh. For the Surrey boys, the statistics were meaningless as just getting to the final certainly surpassed the expectations of the season.

Before kickoff the SGU squad was very relaxed, they had decided to attack the game and really throw caution to the wind and win in style, or go down in flames. Early in the game United was awarded a free kick from just outside the box; opting to pull out a set piece practiced from early on in the season but rarely used, SGU executed perfectly and went up 1-0.

Photo Courtesy of Randy Downes

The game teetered back and forth from that point forward. Roma pressed back quickly after going down and rallied to tie the game on an excellent strike from twenty five yards out. Shortly after, despite SGU's valiant defending, a strike from twenty yards deflected off an United defender, handcuffing the keeper as it rolled heartbreakingly into the gaping net.

Determined to play like 'rock stars' United countered before the half with a highlight reel goal. The ball was crossed in to the far post on a rush and SGU's weak side midfielder jumped into the play beautifully and nodded it home, off the crossbar and in, to draw back even.

Photo Courtesy of Randy Downes

Prior to the game SGU had certainly hoped to be in a position where they were even with Roma at the half but certainly had not envisioned leading and trailing at various points despite a two goal effort in the first thirty five minutes. The second half would prove very interesting.

At half time, Surrey Guildford reaffirmed their commitment to playing for a regulation win and put a tactical plan in place to progressively become more offensive as time wore down. Both teams attacked and counter-attacked effectively through the second half but defended equally well to the task. In the final ten minutes, Roma edged ahead on a spectacular goal; the ball was swung in aggressively and a deft touch directed it authoritatively home for a 3-2 lead and seemingly the championship. Surrey Guildford soldiered on undeterred and true to their style, 'let it all hang out', switching into 2-4-4 formation figuring if they were going to lose, they might as well lose by trying to win. In the final minutes, United got a cross into the box and Surrey's winger got a chance to be a hero and unerringly finished to come back for the second time in the game and push the game into extra time.

Roma and Surrey Guildford held nothing back in extra time with both teams pushing hard for the win, Roma having more success. United defended several corners and free kicks, clearing balls off the goal-line and getting the benefit of balls deflecting out off the crossbar instead of in. Ultimately the game was destined to be desided on Penalty Kicks.

Although Surrey Guildford had no ambition to close any game from the spot they were forced into the situation for the second straight week. Having put out a fantastic effort against the older CMF Roma squad, SGU were even better in PK's with a clinical effort going 5-5; United finished their fifth and final shot with authority to claim the title.

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Venn

For senior players Erik Anderson, Tyler Henderson and Jessie Thiara it was redemption for thier loss in the same game last year, all three players played a major role in earning the 2010 Challenge Cup Championship.

As Surrey Guildford exited the field at Hugh Boyd park, there was an unmistakeble sense of maturity that surrounded the Surrey boys. The image of cheap medals draped around the necks of jubilant players in blood stained jerseys was a moment in time. Not a player in the squad had escaped adversity through the course of the season and the tenacity with which SGU fought and battled after the championship game was a reflection of the spirit within the team. A test of manhood was overcome and these young men have begun to forge an identity for themselves as individuals, footballers and as a team.

The Surrey Guildford United U-14 Metro 'B' team

BCYSSL Challenge Cup Champions

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Venn