Fairbank United 3:3 TVR aet (Fairbank won 3-2 on Penalties)
Sonder Heating Cup 2nd Round
Parkside School, Cullingworth
07/01/12

Fairbank edged through to the next round of the cup at the expense of local rivals TVR in an enthralling match held in Cullingworth. The previous two encounters between these two giants of the Spen Valley League never failed to deliver a spectacle, and this match was no different.

In a tense opening to the game both team’s went for the jugular with chances created early on. It was TVR who struck first though, with an attack down the right flank which picked out the unmarked Waleed, who comfortably slotted home. Fairbank attempted to wrestle back control of the game, but TVR’s pacey attacks were a constant menace.

Faisal almost got Fairbank back into the game with a brilliant shot which was blocked on the line. Excellent link up play between Faisal and Kamran caused TVR problems all match as they carved up a number of chances but failed to convert them.

At the other end Ishy was at the hub of all of TVR’s attacks. He earned a free kick at the edge of the area on the half hour mark. The free kick from Jaydu flew straight through the wall and Waleed was on hand to convert from close range.

Fairbank managed to hold on until half time as TVR threatened to run away with the game with Usy on hand to keep Fairbank in the game with an excellent block. The second half though saw Fairbank click into gear. A wonderful run and shot from Kamran from the left saw his shot parried by KK in the TVR goal only for super striker Faisal to be on hand for the follow up and bring Fairbank back in the game.

The momentum was now clearly with Fairbank as they began to dominate the midfield with their tough tackling. Mani scrambled home the equaliser shortly after which seemed to knock the stuffing out of TVR. Fairbank were now dominant and it was a matter of time before they took the lead. Kamran capped off a fine performance with another brilliant run which left the TVR defenders in his wake as he calmly swept Fairbank into the lead.

Fairbank continued to surge forward in an attempt to kill off the game, but with ten minutes left, Johnny flicked on a long throw in, which saw it loop over Usy and earn TVR an unlikely equaliser! Fairbank rallied once again as both teams looked to deliver a knock out blow but non was forthcoming taking the game into extra time.

The first half of extra time saw both teams cancel each other out as legs begun to tire. The second half saw Murphy hit a brilliant free kick which beat the outstretched KK, only for it to be chalked out for offside, despite no one interfering with play! Faisal had an opportunity late on to snatch a dramitc winner, which was snuffed out and so to penalties.

No Fairbank side at any age range had ever won in a penalty shoot out. Faisal opened the scoring. Ishy then stepped up and saw his penalty saved, only for it to be retaken! With Usy adjudged to have come off his line. The retake resulted in the same result as Usy pulled off another fine save giving Fairbank the advantage. Kamran stepped up for the second one and missed, with Ash pulling TVR back into contention as he converted.

Tufail smashed home the third with a thunderbolt, and TVR responded leaving the score 2:2 with two more penalties to go from each team. Bobby stepped up and smashed his home, before Asif hit TVR’s penalty over the bar! Usy then had the chance to clinch the tie, only for him to sky his penalty over aswell! The tension mounted as the last penalty fell to TVR, needing to score to force sudden death. The shot cannononed off the bar and Fairbank were victorious!

Man of the Match – Akif Waseem