Match Report – Cranleigh 5–4 AFC Royal Holloway
Glebelands, Saturday 20th April
Cranleigh came back from a three-goal deficit to win a nine-goal thriller on Saturday, edging AFC Royal Holloway 5-4 in one of the most dramatic games of the season.
The Cranes got off to a nightmare start. A slow, sluggish opening 20 minutes saw Holloway apply early pressure and take full advantage, carving through the backline and netting three goals in quick succession. It looked like the game might be over before it had even begun.
But Cranleigh slowly began to settle into the match and grow into the contest. As the first half wore on, they started to dominate possession and turn the tide. Just before the break, the breakthrough came; a slick through ball from Adam Bicknell split the defence, finding Paolo Luke charging into the box who calmly slotted home to make it 3–1 and give the hosts a lifeline going into half time.
The second half saw Cranleigh come out with real intent. They pushed higher, upped the tempo and took control of the game. The second goal came shortly after the restart, when Ben Beazley fired a pinpoint long cross into the box, with Bicknell rising highest to head home a deserved goal. It was a superb assist.
Moments later, the comeback was complete. Luke, full of energy and confidence, pressed and dispossessed the Holloway left back, then cut the ball across goal for Bicknell, who coolly slotted it past the keeper to make it 3–3.
Cranleigh weren’t done yet. Luke again caused problems down the flank and whipped in a dangerous ball that struck a Holloway hand in the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot. Bicknell stepped up and buried it in the bottom right to complete a sensational hat trick and give the Cranes the lead for the first time.
The drama wasn’t over. With Holloway rocked and Glebelands buzzing, up stepped Milo Duffin with a moment of magic. Collecting a loose ball on the corner of the box after a scramble, he danced past four players with some dazzling footwork and smashed it into the top left corner from the edge of the area. An outrageous finish and a definite Goal of the Season contender.
Still, Holloway weren’t done. They clawed one back late on after a scrappy passage of play inside the Cranleigh box, and the pressure continued into stoppage time. But keeper George Mead produced two world-class saves in quick succession to deny a dramatic equaliser and seal all three points.
Highlights
Joint Manager Sam Carpenter said after the game: “It was great to get back to winning ways. We started off slow and sluggish, similar to how we started against Frenches midweek, and at 3–0 down our heads could have easily gone. However, that wasn’t the case and as we’ve done in previous games this season, we got a goal back which meant we weren’t completely down and out by half-time.
“It’s a bit of a cliché saying, but it was a game of two halves and we came out fighting in the second. A questionable sin bin for Holloway allowed us back in, with Bickers getting two in quick succession, then brilliantly rounding off a hat-trick and taking him up to seven goals in as many games for Cranleigh. What a signing he’s proven to be. And Milo got the winner with a screamer, undoubtedly putting his name in the hat for goal of the season.
“It was a spirited comeback with the guys really showing grit and determination to get the three points. The four in midfield were class for us — Sam J, Harry, Paolo and Makenzie — either could have got MOTM, but it went to Paolo for getting on the scoresheet and providing two assists.
“Our attention now goes to Wednesday, where we face Battersea in our last league game of the season.”
A rollercoaster match, a huge result, and an unforgettable afternoon at Glebelands.
FT: Cranleigh 5–4 AFC Royal HollowayGoals: Luke, Bicknell (3), DuffinAssists: Bicknell, Beazley, Luke (2), MubaiwaMOTM: Paolo Luke
