BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
TEMPLE FORTUNE 0 FC TEAM 0 (Fortune won on penalties)
Fortune have reached the BGT final after overcoming FC Team at Silver Jubliee Park following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. This will be the Club's second appearance in the final, having lost to FC Heath at Wingate & Finchley FC in May 2005, and their first since 2005.
The tie this morning was drawn 0–0 and the game went straight to penalties where Fortune triumphed by three-nil, thanks mainly to the goalkeeping heroics of young Carlowe in nets who saved three penalties. He also made a few excellent saves during the 90 minutes.
Fortune boss Simon Linden commented: "This was a famous win for Temple Fortune after a dull 0-0 draw. 18-year-old 'keeper Joel Carlowe was drafted in following Lee Fegan's injury, and prepped by the quarter-final penalty-saver Lee, Joel pulled out the bag three great saves to send us into the final."
"The 90 minutes were tough: FC Team probably edged it but we wanted it more as a group, from 1 to 16 of those involved, they all didn’t let the club down. It’s a proud day for this legendary football club as we go into our 50th year next season."
"We have suffered a lot of setbacks this season but with a new-look management team in place and the merger of both teams we will be extremely competitive next year. We now look forward to the Final in two weeks' time under the floodlights."
Gracious in defeat (which TFFC appreciates so thanks), FC Team's Mitch Young commented: "To lose in a semi-final on penalties is, of course, very upsetting. However, looking back at the game we have no regrets and there is nothing I would have done differently.
"It was always going to be a very close game and I believe we were slightly the better team. We had three or four nice chances in the second half and their goalkeeper pulled off two or three stunning saves, if it wasn’t for him we would be in the final."
“This is the first time all season we have failed to score and if you don’t score, you can't win a game of football. I have never seen or heard of their goalkeeper before but fair play to them and him. I was impressed with how Fortune battled and gave it their all and good luck to them in the final.”
Temple Fortune will play Faithfold 'B' in the final on Sunday, April 29 at Maccabi London Brady FC, Rowley Lane, Arkley, kick-off at 7.30pm.
