After weeks of playing league format cup matches it came round to the semi-final where Bay Horse were up against Bridlington Snooker Centre at Burton Agnes, with players missing due to holidays and suspension Kilham knew it was going to be a tough game.
After winning the toss and playing into the wind they had a very good first half, Snooker Centre huffed and puffed in front of goal but shots were kept to a minimum thanks to some great defending by the Kilham side.
But on 22 minutes Hudson scored to give the Bridlington side the lead, Bay Horse had had their share of the game up until that point and minutes later nearly drew level after Dale Wain’s header came back off the crossbar.
The second half they had the wind and were playing down hill, somehow though the Bridlington side added another goal just into the half when a shot at the near post found a way into the net.
Down but by no way out Kilham got back on the horse and took the game to Snooker Centre. Rich Kerry was through on goal but a coming together with the keeper saw him injured and could not continue. The referee’s decision allowed the keeper to stay on the pitch and no penalty awarded, but Kilham believe if the challenge had been anywhere else on the pitch it would have been at the least a free kick.
Bay Horse made the change and continued to press the play, they got their reward when a cross came in and Ross Gray slid in and finished to make it 2-1. Wind back in the sails and chances kept coming, the Bridlington side had more chances with the game being now so open but a fantastic save from Mark Clark in the Kilham goal kept them in it.
With 10 minutes to go a ball forward found Danny Baker who managed to header the ball over the keeper and make the score level.
Believing now that this could be the day they beat Snooker Centre, Kilham went in search of the winner, but a missed handball allowed the Bridlington player to skip past his man and fire them back into the lead.
Bridlington Snooker Centre added a fourth in the dying seconds to complete the scoreline, a scoreline that didn’t reflect the game.
Manager Neil Staff said: “Being deflated by the third goal was an understatement because Bay Horse had worked so hard to get back into the game, and it has come down to the referee’s decisions that have cost us a final place.”
“We would like to wish Snooker Centre the very best for the final; would like to thank all those who came to support and all the sponsors that are involved with the club.
“I would like to praise the players for the hard work and effort the whole team put into this game and indeed the season, makes it easy to manage with such a great set of players.”
Next game is April 14 against Bridlington Snooker Centre in the quarter final of the Challenge cup at Gypsy Road, kick off 2pm – please go along and support if you are free.