If you were referring to the previous 2 games that these sides had played then you would have been forgiven for thinking that Rimington would have been in for a comfortable nights work against Sabden.
Sabden had other ideas though, flexing their extended contact list and naming a number of changes to their side from the last game against Roefield.
Rimy on the other hand, who have previously been blessed with a number of substitutions available, were on the flip side of the coin with no recognised goalkeeper available to them and only Luke Chatburn (as a late signing!) as a substitute who played for them in the competition last year.
The game started with the way of the form book. The ball broke to Collinge and, whilst he got a shot away, the goalkeepers onrushing challenge was deemed reckless enough to be given as a penalty to Rimington. Collinge coolly slotted home after a stuttered run up giving them a lead over their opponents.
Sabden soon found their feet and got their more experienced players on the ball and the game soon flipped on its head with 3 quick goals from Bagot and Rawcliffe (2).
Rawcliffe then capped off a wonderful hattrick 5 minutes later to make it 4-1.
Rimington then did well to hold off the waves of pressure before the break, their stand in keeper making a few routine saves and even having a couple of chances up the other end to narrow the margin.
The second half finished the same way as the first ended. Cagey, a bit of needle here and there but ultimately, Rimington’s defence holding strong.
Opportunities for Rimington were few and far between but who knows how it could have ended if Robert Lloyd could’ve found the back of the net after bringing down a high, long ball, then beating his man but narrowly missing the target. At 4-2 with 15 minutes to go, Rimington might’ve found another surge of energy in the sapping heat but it remained 4-1.
A few minutes later Fox tapped home to make it 5-1 and a couple of late goals from Hayden and Coyle wrapped up the deserved 7-1 win for Sabden.
Will we see the same Sabden team so close to the regular football season starting and some of the debutants returning to training for their respective clubs? Depending on the results in the next 2 games, it is possible that Sabden might not be able to qualify for the grand final without kicking a ball. After losing the first 2 games, the odds were always going to be against them.
With 3 games to go, the tournament is very much alive! All 5 teams can still qualify for the grand final with 4 in control of their own fate!
Sabden will be next in action on the final day. To qualify, Sabden need to win on the final day game but also need to hope that FNF Blacks can defeat Roefield in 2 weeks time. Rimington are next in action also on the final day in an effective semi final against FNF Whites. Rimington have to win the game to qualify for the grand final with the draw favouring FNF Whites. A draw would favour Sabden in the FNF Whites V Rimy game if Roefield can defeat FNF Blacks in the game in 2 weeks time.
