It seemed only yesterday when the Predators were here at the Brazilian Masters’ ground, playing their second league game away. Now they were facing them off in the Challenge Cup.
Same ground but completely different conditions today: no torrential rain and electrical storm but instead a warm and muggy afternoon with hardly a breeze. Massimo captained again as Curtis was away. Worthing Brazilian Masters were noticeably without their usual goalkeeper.
First Half
Predators kicked off and got stuck in early, just as they had for the first ten minutes of their league match last week. Only this time, they continued to press Worthing relentlessly throughout the first half, hardly allowing the opponents to gain any real momentum. Alex was working hard on the left-hand wing until an old injury took its toll. There were occasional deep counter-attacks from Worthing which led to the first three corner kicks of the match: two from the right-hand flag, one from the left-hand flag. All came to nought, thankfully.
Josh came on for Callan after seventeen minutes and within two minutes of Josh playing, he had opened up the score with a lovely goal from a narrow angle from the right-hand side, followed up a minute later with a second driven shot on target, which could easily have put Predators two goals up. Great work from Josh!
Isaac, Jacob and Massimo all had great attempts on goal. In the last ten minutes of the first half, Kallen came on for Harley up front, and Michael came on for Dom, at right back. Alex was indicating that he could no longer play on. Callen was eventually allowed by the referee to substitute him. Noah switched to the left wing.
Half-time score: Worthing Brazilian Masters 0 – Predators 1
Second Half
In the second half Predators still claimed more possession overall, with Kallen having several good chances up front. However, it was Worthing who managed to scramble in a messy goal after nine minutes of the second half. That equaliser appeared to lift their confidence a bit, and it became more of an open game.
Harley had some great chances but unfortunately didn’t convert them. Similarly, Worthing could have scored again and were noticeably becoming frustrated towards the closing stages. Ryan was much busier this half. Michael did some good work at the back and drove the ball up the right wing several times.
Final score: Worthing Brazilian Masters 1 – Predators 1
Penalty Shoot-Out
With honours even, as it was a cup match we needed a winner so the match would be decided on penalties.
First up was Noah for the Predators – A goal! Great start.
WB 0 – Predators 1
First up for Worthing, their number 14 – Saved brilliantly by Ryan!! First blood to the Predators! Even better start!
WB 0 – Predators 1
Second up for Predators, Massimo – Great goal!
WB 0 – Predators 2
Second up for Worthing, their number 10 – Goal. Top right-hand corner. Not bad. Let’s move on.
WB 1 – Predators 2
Third up for Predators: Isaac – Lovely goal, rolled into the right-hand corner.
WB 1 – Predators 3
Worthing’s number 9 stepped up next. Ryan actually got both his hands on this shot when he dived right, but it was too strong a strike and still went in, leaving Ryan shaking his shocked hands afterwards.
WB 2 – Predators 3
Harley took the fourth penalty for Predators – A nice goal in the right corner!
WB 2 – Predators 4
Worthing’s number 7 took their fourth attempt. A goal in the top right-hand corner. Begrudgingly good.
WB 3 – Predators 4
Jacob stepped forward to take the significant fifth penalty. This one – if it went in – would secure them the victory today. AND IT DID!!
Final Penalty Tally in the Shoot-Out: Predators 5 out of 5, Worthing 3 out of a possible 5.
Scorers for Predators today:
Josh (in normal time)
Noah, Massimo, Isaac, Harley and Jacob (Penalties)
