Season 2014-15

LEICESTER POLSKA suffered a late heartbreak as they were denied the chance of a famous victory in the Saturday Vase County Cup final. Fielding their strongest side against a Shoemakers team that had beaten them twice in the league, the favourites started the stronger, but once Polska settled down, Przemek Przerwa - absent from both league encounters as was Max Sieczka - caused utter havoc as he continually probed down the right hand side of Polska's midfield, drawing a number of fouls in the process, as the Shoemakers right back struggled to contain him. As the first half wore on, Shoemakers used their long ball tactic to find Christian Dyke often, with the width of Ryan Kneafsey also giving Polska plenty to think about. Polska at times put the more cultured passing together, with Marek Dziopa floating around the centre of midfield with great skill and craft. With the first half very cagey, Polska got punished when switching off for the first and only time. Failing to clear their lines adequately, Shoemakers put together two passes to scramble home the opening goal on 41 minutes. It visibly knocked the Polska rhythm out of its stride, and half time came at the right time. In the second half, Polska had clearly regained their composure, and a move that began with Przerwa on the right saw a ball come in to Savo, who couldn't quite connect with it. This however, saw the ball run through to Dobrzynski, who passed to Max Sieczka who stabbed home a clever shot in the bottom left corner to give Polska the equaliser on 47 minutes. Similarly, the goal seemed to rock Shoemakers, and Polska began pushing on in search of more chances. Under 10 minutes later came a key moment in the final, another quick Polska cross from the right saw Savo unmarked with the goal at his mercy. Unfortunately, he put his effort over the bar and it was a huge let off for Shoemakers. But the forward should not be blamed for the outcome - Polska as a team conceded two goals but were still pretty unlucky at the final result. Shoemakers then had a good 10 minute spell, as Polska seemingly failed to press on, and Marcin Krogulec produced a game full of energy, eventually seeing off Kneafsey who was substituted with cramp. Spider Pajak then produced a magnificent save as Shoemakers tried to see off their rivals, with Max and Jarek also getting caught out making errors that could have proved costly. But Polska essentially defended very well. Krogulec had two forward runs in the second half, getting in behind the Shoemakers back line, but both times failing to control the ball. As extra time loomed with 5 minutes to go, referee Jim Hubbard - who had an excellent game - unfortunately and incorrectly gave Shoemakers a corner. Again, Polska failed to fully deal with the corner and with the ball dropping to the edge of the area, the 'away' side drove home a shot that made it's way past a throng of players to nestle into the bottom left corner of Pajak's goal on 85 minutes. There was one more chance for Polska to get back, with Pajak going up for a late corner, but Shoemakers at this point always looked like they were going to get to full time. It was a game neither side deserved to lose from open play - for once penalties would have been a preferable method to divide the sides. But Polska were proud with the 100% effort and determination their players gave. Not one player gave less than their all, and they did all they could but were famously denied an extra time or penalty shoot out shot at the trophy.

41' Shoemakers goal

47' Max Sieczka goal from Radek pass

85' Shoemakers goal

Subs:

Mazurek for Wieczorek 76 mins

Wysoczanski for Kwiatkowski 87 mins