3rd Round Review

Firstly, I'd like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012! Secondly, I'd like to apologise for the delay in updating the blog. I'll put this down to being a Dad to 3 young kids and we are still opening Christmas presents as I type this latest update!

Barnes Albion 1 Wrightchoice CSA 1 – Barnes won 5-4 on penalties
On an extremely bitter afternoon at Rectory Meadow (the home of Hanworth Villa) debutants Barnes Albion from the West Middlesex league, required a penalty shoot-out to overcome a spirited Wrightchoice side from the Reading Sunday League.

Barnes are the current holders of the Surrey County FA Senior cup, are also affiliated to the Middlesex County FA (they reached last season’s semi-final of the Middlesex County FA Premier cup) and are well fancied to go far in the Sunday Cup. However, their youthful opponents were not daunted by their host’s pedigree and took the lead after 10 minutes, courtesy of a fantastic strike from Adam Kingsbeer, which gave keeper Richard Priest no chance.

Barnes laid siege to the Wrightchoice goal in the second half but could not fashion the equaliser their play deserved. Sub Danny Buckle was introduced with 15 minutes remaining and his neat hold-up play and passing made a huge difference for Barnes, although the momentum gained by this positive change, was short lived, as centre forward Mark Gallagher saw red for two bookable offences and things went from bad to worse, when Joe Willis was also sent off!

With just two minutes remaining, the nine men pushed forward and were awarded a penalty, which Adam Willis converted, to send the game in to extra time. Unbelievably, Barnes had a third player sent off in extra time, when the impressive Angus Martin was dismissed, when he received his second yellow card! Barnes nearly snatched victory with their final attack, when a low cross was met by Luke Driscoll, who hit the post.

Barnes went first in the penalty shoot-out and both sides successfully converted 11 penalties. With sudden death looming, Wrightchoice, failed to hit the target with their fifth spot kick and an ecstatic Barnes Albion were through to the last 16. The match was a credit to both sides and not the dirty game that 6 bookings and 3 sending offs would suggest.

Many thanks to Spencer Cox for this report

Loughborough Saints 1 v Comets Sports Club 3
There wasn’t much to choose between these two sides for the first ten minutes, but Comets then began to settle and started to dominate possession. The Saints goalkeeper made a couple of saves but when a free kick was awarded to Comets outside Loughborough’s penalty box, Chris Marsh expertly bent it around the wall, low into the far corner to give Comets the lead.

Ten minutes before the interval, Comets’ left back Dan Hartley brought down the Saints striker as he was bearing down on goal. After a lengthy consultation with his assistant, the referee deemed that a yellow card and free-kick on the edge of the box was sufficient penalty for the misdemeanour, which the Saints player duly blasted through the Comets’ wall, deflecting past keeper Johnny Pearce to restore parity.

Loughborough had their tails up for the first period of the second-half but were unable to capitalise due to sound defending by the Comets back four, marshalled superbly by Joel Williams and Shane Wood.

With twenty minutes remaining, Comets’ right-back, Woods Mullan, played a long ball down the line for Chris Marsh to chase. Marsh, who had been running the opposition ragged all afternoon, then drifted past the left full-back and picked out Jack Wood on the penalty spot to deftly slot the ball inside the left-hand post to put Comets back in front.

Saints tried valiantly to conjure up an equaliser, forcing a good save from Pearce, but the Comets defence, and midfielders, Daniel Holliman, Alex McCarthy and Adam Martin, stood firm before Marsh once again broke clear and was subsequently brought down inside the box for a penalty. Comets’ skipper, Shane Wood, stepped up to convert the spot-kick and put the tie beyond the Leicestershire side.

Many thanks to Kev Mullan for this report.

Canada 4 Queens Park 1
This tie pitted together two serious contenders in this competition. Canada, so named because they were formed by a group of workers at Liverpool's Canada Dock, are four times semi finalists, and this season are very much at the heart of what looks like being a very tight title race in the Liverpool Sunday League. Queens Park have regularly featured in the latter stages of this cup in recent years, and the reigning Birkenhead Sunday League champions remain unbeaten in their league this season.

Although Queens Park have the better of the possession in the first half, they trail to a 13th minute goal as Carl Furlong hooks the ball home at the near post. They almost equalise from a Terry Cotgrave free-kick, the ball glancing off John Johnson's head, or possibly his defensive marker, and hitting the bar, but the visitors have keeper David Peace to thank for a fine save just before the interval to keep out Danny O'Brien's header.

As the second half gets underway this has the feel of a cup tie in which anything could happen, and the crucial moment arrives on 58 minutes as Danny O'Brien puts Stephen Tames away, and with Queens Park appeals for what must be a very tight offside call waved away by the linesman, Tames runs on to finish confidently. Tames goes on to complete an 11 minute hat-trick, the next two goals very similar, long balls catching the defensive line far to high, Tames finishing for his second goal with a tremendous drive into the top corner, and his third by rounding the keeper.

Queens Park do keep pushing forward to their credit, and David Bowe scores a consolation penalty on 80 minutes after player-manager Lee Gibson is brought down. There are a couple more chances at either end as the play becomes very stretched, but 4-1 is the final outcome, with the Queens Park supporters very sporting in their praise of their opponents at full time. As for Canada, they must be thinking this could be the year they at last reach the final.

Many thanks to Andy Gilman for this report.

Dawdon Colliery Welfare 3 v Stockton Rosegale N&SA 5
Stockton Rosegale kept up their impressive Sunday Cup campaign, by registering their third successive away win. They also maintained their five goals-a-game average and it was they who struck first in this game against their North East rivals from the Peterlee & District league, when Billy Gatenby headed home a Danny Rowbotham cross.

Danny Earl then added a second with a delicate chip over the keeper after a neat through ball by Dean Bell. Rosegale made it 3-0 in the second half, when Bell smashed home a loose ball after Earl was tripped in the box.

Dawdon were given a foothold in the game, with the award of a penalty, which they duly converted.

The ever dangerous Earl who continued to turn defenders inside out and caused the home side no end of problems, scored a fine goal, when he controlled a long clearance, before outpacing the Dawdon defence and curling his shot around the advancing keeper to restore Rosegale’s three goal advantage.

Dawdon rallied on the hour and the two goals they scored in a 15 minute ‘purple patch’ that followed, dramatically brought the home side back in to contention. In fact, it took a top class save by Stuart Newbold to prevent Dawdon from levelling the score at 4-4. .

Billy Gatenby put the game beyond Dawdon, when he fired home his second goal to earn Rosegale yet another away tie, this time on Merseyside, where they will play Canada.

FC Tripimeni 5 v Falcons 2
Free-scoring Falcons from the Cambridge & District league went in to this game full of confidence, after scoring 16 goals in their two previous Sunday Cup games.

However, in Tripimeni, they came up against one of London’s finest Sunday side’s and a team fancied to go far in the competition.

The Kopa league side went in to the interval with a 2-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Naim and Alfie Cox. Tripimeni had several chances to increase their lead but failed to do so and Falcons equalised, with the best goal of the game, when a shot from the edge of the penalty box flew straight into the corner of the net, giving the Tripimeni goal keeper no chance.

This set back spurred Tripimeni on and they scored a further three goals without reply. Alfie Cox completed his hat trick and Karim notched his second to earn Tripimeni a mouth-watering home clash against Dee Road Rangers, whose highly impressive 5-0 away win Hazelhurst was arguably the result of the round.

Postponement - 18/12

Salisbury Athletic v Oyster Martyrs has been postponed. Oyster will now have home advantage when the tie is played in the New Year. Thanks to Ian Porter for this information.

Elm Farm v Branksome Con and Lakeside Athletic v Lebeqs Tavern Courage were also postponed. No word on Lobster v Whitwick Compass.

4th Round Draw

Ties to be played on 22/1/12 - 13:00 ko

Canada v Stockton Rosegale N&SA
Lobster or Whitwick Compass 2008 v Lea Hall Sports & Social
Hetton Lyons Cricket Club v Kelloe WMC
Birstall Stamford v Salisbury Athletic or Oyster Martyrs
FC Tripimeni v Dee Road Rangers
Club Lewsey v Lakeside Athletic or Lebeqs Tavern Courage
Sungate v Comets Sports Club
Elm Farm or Branksome Con v Barnes Albion

3rd Round Results

Kelloe 5 Job 2
Hetton Lyons 4 Brittania 1
Canada 4 Queens Park 1
Salisbury Athletic v Oyster Martyrs - game postponed
Dawdon CW 3 v Stockton Rosegale N&SA 5
Travellers 1 v Birstall Stamford 1 - Birstall won 2-1 on penalties
FC Tripimeni 5 v Falcons 2
Barnes Albion 1 v Wrightchoice CSA 1 - Barnes won 5-4 on penalties
Hazelhurst 0 v Dee Road Rangers 5
Sungate 3 v Duke of York 0
Elm Farm v Branksome Con - match abandoned on 50 minutes, due to a serious injury
Loughborough Saints 1 v Comets Sports Club 3

I'll update the blog with more results later.

If you know any results/postponements, please email the details to me on fasundaycupblog@hotmail.co.uk.

3rd Round Preview

The Third round draw has produced some intriguing match ups and the following five fixtures feature some of the competitions best known and most successful teams.

Salisbury Athletic v Oyster Martyrs
One of the standout ties of the third round is an all Liverpudlian affair that pits Salisbury Athletic against Sunday Cup holders Oyster Martyrs.

Salisbury made their Sunday Cup debut back in 2002/03, when they were known as Dickie Lewis. A change of name to Seaburn in time for the 2004/05 season coincided with their best achievement to date, when they reached the semi final, narrowly losing to Albion Sports. A further name change to Salisbury Athletic came in 2009.

Oyster have appeared in two of the last three finals and along with Hetton Lyons, they are the team to beat, if you are going to win this competition.

After a successful treble winning 2010/11 season, management duo Richie Rooney and Tony Doyle decided to step down and Neil McNulty has taken up the challenge of retaining the Sunday Cup, in his capacity as player-manager.

McNulty’s first achievement in his brief managerial reign has been to retain the services of Oyster’s key personnel, none more so than prolific striker, Leighton McGivern, a goal-scorer in every round last season. He is also finding the net on a regular basis for Vauxhall Motors in the Football Conference North.

Having seen Oyster five times in the past three seasons, I think Salisbury’s biggest problem will be shackling McGivern and Thomas Rooney, a player whose goal scoring ability commands respect.

Club Lewsey v Magnet Tavern
Another highlight of the third round draw sees North Home Counties outfit Club Lewsey entertain 2010 runners up, Magnet Tavern.

Club Lewsey, who pushed Oyster Martyrs all the way in last season’s quarter final at Heswall, have scored nine goals in their two Sunday up games and with home advantage, will feel confident that they can progress, against a side who fell at the first attempt last season, losing 2-1 to Clumber in the second round (after being exempt from the first round).

Sungate v Duke of York
After successive away victories in Bedfordshire, 2003 champions Duke of York from Northampton are on the road again, as they have been drawn away to Sungate of the Essex Corinthian league.

These road trips are nothing new for Duke of York, however, as since their reintroduction to the Sunday Cup last season, they have only been drawn at home once in nine games! (this does not include last season’s semi final, which was played at Rushden & Diamonds).

By way of contrast, this will be Sungate’s third consecutive home draw and they will need to take advantage of this good fortune, if they are to beat a very good Duke of York side, who I saw beat Mariners in last season’s quarter final.

Travellers v Birstall Stamford
This West v East midlands clash is another eagerly awaited game and should provide some great entertainment. Both sides are experienced Sunday Cup campaigners, having reached the semi finals and it’s a shame that one of these teams will have to exit the competition at the last 32 stage.

I’m sure that Travellers will provide a stern test for Birstall Stamford but I make the Leicester side favourites to win this game, as they recorded a very impressive first round win in Birmingham, when they beat the reigning Festival league champions, Kingshurst, 4-1.

Lakeside Athletic v Lebeqs Tavern
This will the third Sunday Cup meeting between these South West rivals in the last four seasons. And it is Lakeside of the Plymouth & West Devon Combination who hold the upper hand, as they have won both of their previous meetings.

In fact, Lebeqs have yet to breach the Lakeside defence, as they lost at home 2-0 in last season’s first round and 1-0 at Lakeside back in 2008/09.

Both sides have experienced the business end of the competition, as Lebeqs were runners up in 2007, whilst Lakeside pushed Scots Grey all the way in the 2009 semi final.

2nd Round Review

Paddock 0 Lobster 1
This result will have raised a few eyebrows, as Paddock reached last season’s final. However, they have unfortunately been struggling this season and exited the Liverpool County FA Sunday Premier Cup at the first attempt.

A Ste Andrews goal was enough to earn Lobster a home tie against debutants Whitwick Compass from the Charnwood league.

Travellers 6 Seven Allstars 3
Seven Allstars got off to a great start in their game at Northfield Town against Travellers, when they took the lead on 4 minutes, when the home keeper, Ross, could only parry a shot up in the air for Rutherford to follow up and head home.

Travellers skipper, Wayne Dugmore, drove home from 8 yards to restore parity and this spurred Travellers on, as they took control of the game, scoring twice in the next twenty minutes, courtesy of Chris Chapman’s double.

The Allstars were given a lifeline, when Travellers’ Nash conceded a penalty for pushing an opponent in the back. Gladwin duly converted the penalty and the deficit was only goal at the half time interval.

The Allstars came out firing in the second half and when Rutherford took advantage of a slip by Farrell to fire home, they were back on terms at 3-3.

Travellers responded by making a change in the middle of the park, when they introduced Marcus Thompson in to the proceedings in place of James McKeon and within two minutes of making the substitution, Travellers were awarded a penalty when Nash was brought down in the box and Thompson stepped up restore their lead at 4-3.

Three minutes later, Travellers were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Thompson was on hand to strike a delightful shot in to top left hand corner.

With the Allstars pushing everyone forward, Travellers were able to hit them on the counter attack and when Chapman was tackled, the ball fell to Thompson, who completed his hat-trick (after only being on the pitch for 18 minutes) and the last of the nine goals scored, in what proved to be an absorbing cup tie.

Oyster Martyrs 6 Belt Road 0
Holders Oyster Martyrs made a clear statement of their intent, as they recorded an emphatic win over Cannock Chase leaguers Belt Road.

Last season’s key man, Leighton McGivern, scored two, as did Kevin Riley. Thomas Rooney is another prolific scorer in Sunday football and he weighed in with a goal. Dean Astbury completed the rout.

The Dog 0 Whitwick Compass 6
Whitwick Compass made it ten goals in two games, as they followed their first round victory over Bartley Green, with a thumping away win in Staffordshire, courtesy of goals from Blythe (2), Hill, Thornley, Schultz and Sampson.

Loughborough Saints 5 St Josephs (Luton) 0
Sunday Cup legends St Josephs fell to one of their heaviest ever defeats in the competition, as they were well beaten in this battle of the Saints, by Loughborough Saints, another member of the Charnwood league who enjoyed a memorable second round victory.

St Josephs couldn’t handle Loughborough’s Baker, who scored four of the Saints five goals. Bettles completed the scoring for the Saints, who now face another home tie, against last season’s semi finalists, Comets Sports Club.

FC Nirankari 0 New Salamis 5
FC Nirankari of the Stevenage & District league started like a house on fire against their highly fancied opponents from the London based Kopa league and it was one-way traffic in the early stages, culminating in the award of a penalty in the 16th minute.

New Salamis goalkeeper, Michael Kalli, came to the rescue of his side, as he saved the penalty and this helped inspire the Salamis, who opened the scoring fifteen minutes later, Jeff Hammond.

The Salamis made a change at half time, bringing on Kyri Portou who increased the Red’s lead with a brilliant goal when he dribbled past two players on the left and curled a shot into the top corner.

George Gregoriou scored the third on the hour mark and after the early scare, the Salamis were now in cruise control at 3-0. Richard Georgiou put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute and Kyri Portou made it 5-0 with just three minutes remaining, when he scored his second goal.

Gym United 0 Tripimeni 3
New Salamis Kopa league rivals, Tripimeni, were also on the road, although their trip to Bury St Edmonds was certainly further away than Stevenage, as they faced Gym United from the Bury & District league.

However, unlike the Salamis, Tripimeni started well and were 2-0 to the good, mid-way through the first half, courtesy of goals from Ahmet Rifat and Alfie Bartram.

Gym Utd threw everything they had at Tripimeni in the second half but failed to trouble the visitors defence and Ahmet Rifat scored his second with five minutes left, so seal a deserved 3-0 win.

Tripimeni now face a home tie against the free scoring Falcons of the Cambridge & District league, who have scored 16 goals in their two Sunday Cup games.

West Bowling 3 Stockton Rosegale N&SA 4

I must admit that whilst driving to Horsfall Stadium, my hopes of this game taking place were not that high, as the whole area was covered in a thick blanket of fog.

I was therefore relieved to find the Stockton Rosegale team minibus parked outside the ground and that the game was on, when I arrived at the ground half an hour before kick off.

This game was an absolute cracker and was a great advert for the competition. Bradford Sunday Alliance champions, West Bowling, opened the scoring after 5 minutes, when Curtis McMahon forced a cross home from close range. The visitors equalised 8 minutes later, when Jamie Dawson scored from a corner.

West Bowling regained the lead just three minutes later, when McMahon's superb shot gave the Rosegale keeper no chance.

It would appear that the Rosegale management gave their troops an earbashing at half time, as they jogged back on to the pitch, nearly 10 minutes before the hosts did. However, it was Bowling who nearly opened the scoring, when Jack Murphy skipped past a few players, only to see his shot hit the post.

Rosegale did restore parity on the 49th minute, when their herculean forward, Dale Bell, burst through and his shot was poked home from Danny Earl, who is Billingham Synthonia's top scorer this season, with 14 goals to his name.

There was some real end-to-end football on display now and Bowling nearly took the lead for the third time, when they had a goalbound shot headed of the line, with the keeper beaten.

Rosegale took the lead for the first time, when Bowling failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Jamie Dawson, whose great strike easily beat the keeper. It was 3-3 just two minutes later, when Bowling's Joe Jagger got the ball around 15 feet in to the Rosegale half, looked up and fired home an amazing goal, which just dipped under the bar!

I think the winning goal was scored by Rosegale's Earl, although with the fog, it wasn't easy to tell. The last 20 or so minutes was goal less, although both sides still had plenty of chances. Rosegale's Dawson fluffed his hat-trick opportunity in the dying moments, when he lobbed the keeper but only just missed the target.

3rd Round Draw

Ties to be played on 11th December - 13:00 ko

Canada v Queens Park

Lobster v Whitwick Compass 2008

Kelloe WMC v JOB

Hetton Lyons Cricket Club v Britannia VNC

Salisbury Athletic v Oyster Martyrs

Dawdon Colliery Welfare v Stockton Rosegale N&SA

New Salamis v Lea Hall Sports & Social

FC Tripimeni v Falcons

Club Lewsey v Magnet Tavern

Loughborough Saints v Comets Sports Club

Sungate v Northampton Duke Of York

Travellers v Birstall Stamford

Barnes Albion v Wrightchoice CSA

Hazelhurst v Dee Road Rangers

Lakeside Athletic v Lebeqs Tavern Courage

Elm Farm v Branksome Con

2nd Round Results

West Bowling 3 Stockton Rosegale N&SA 4
Hetton Lyons 2 v Chapeltown Fforde Grene 1
Britannia 1 v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 0
Salisbury Athletic 4 v BRNESC 0
Eden Vale 2 v Kelloe WMC 4
Paddock 0 v Lobster 1
Home & Bargain 0 v JOB 4
Allerton 0 v Dawdon Colliery Welfare 3
Barnes Albion 6 v Nyetimber Pirates 1
Lea Hall Sports & Social 5 v St Margarets 0
Advance Couriers 1 v Birstall Stamford 2
Comets Sports Club 4 v Britannia United 0
Sungate 4 v Torrun United 3
Greengate 1 v Elm Farm 2

More results to follow...plus a match report of West Bowling v Stockton Rosegale.

If you would like to see your team's result up with the rest, please email them to fasundaycupblog@hotmail.co.uk

2nd Round Preview

Eden Vale v Kelloe WMC
Kelloe will be hoping to build on their superb 2010/11 season, when they ended Hetton Lyon’s 5 year unbeaten run in the Durham County FA Sunday Cup (Kelloe went on to beat Brandon Bay Horse 4-1 in the final). They also beat Hetton in the Alan Smith Memorial Cup and League Cup semi final (on penalties). And it was none other than eventual Champions, Oyster Martyrs, who ended Kelloe’s Sunday Cup aspirations, when the Liverpudlians narrowly triumphed by 3 goals to 2 when they met in the 2nd round.

Eden Vale have twice reached the semi finals of the Sunday Cup, however, this was in the late 90’s and they only re-entered the competition last year after a lengthy absence. Like Kelloe, they started last season’s campaign in the preliminary round and after successfully negotiating their way through two penalty shoot-outs, they lost in the 3rd round to Queens Park.

On paper, this looks a tough tie to call, as, surprisingly, both sides are struggling in their respective leagues – Kelloe are second bottom of the Durham & District league, with only two wins from six games, whilst Eden Vale currently occupy mid-table in the Ormskirk league, with just one win from five league matches.

Travellers v Seven Allstars
Seven Allstars, the sole entrant from Herefordshire, face a tricky away tie to experienced Sunday Cup campaigners Travellers of the Birmingham Festival league.

The Allstars only joined the Herefordshire league in 2009, as the Malvern league in which they were in, disbanded. The Allstars at least had the honour of being crowned champions in the league’s final season.

They have adapted to life in the new league well, as they secured the Premier division league and cup title last season.

Travellers reached the semi finals of the Sunday Cup back in 2003, where they pushed eventual winners, Duke of York, all the way, only losing in extra time. The same two teams met in last season’s 4th round, where Duke of York came through another close encounter, winning 2-1.

Travellers finished runners up in the Birmingham Festival league last season and I expect them to be too strong for the Allstars.

Advance Couriers v Birstall Stamford
I must admit, I didn’t pay much notice to this tie when the draw came out, as Advance Couriers have a modest Sunday Cup record, whilst Birstall Stamford are three time semi-finalists and also lifted the Midland Sunday Challenge Cup three times in five seasons, so in my eyes, it appeared to be a fairly straight forward game for Birstall Stamford.

However, whilst Advance Couriers may not have a reputation to rival Birstall Stamford on the national stage, they have a very impressive ‘domestic’ record, as they have won the Leicester Sunday Alliance league on seven occasions and have appeared in the final of the Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Sunday Premier Cup in each of the last three seasons (winning it twice).

This game pits arguably the best sides in rival leagues and has generated a lot of interest in Leicester and should be a well-attended game.

Comets Sports Club v Britannia United
Comets were the surprise package last season, reaching the semi finals. Like Eden Vale, they proved adept at taking penalties, as two of their victories were settled during penalty shoot-outs.

Berkhamsted league champions for the last three seasons, Comets also reached the final of last season’s Hertfordshire County FA Sunday Senior Cup, where they lost to an extra time winning goal from Belstone, the team they beat 3-1 in the 4th round of the Sunday Cup, two months earlier.

Britannia United also had a good run last season, when they reached the last 16, which is the furthest that any Aylesbury side has ever progressed to.

They are members of the Aylesbury Combination league and are one of only five teams in the Premier Division!

I think this could well be another close game but if I had to stick my neck out, I’d pick Comets to win this, with home advantage tipping the balance in their favour.

Sungate v Torrun United
Two seasons ago, debutants Sungate from the Essex Corinthian league reached the quarter-finals, where they lost 4-1 to another impressive newcomer, Hazelhurst of the Morden & District league.

Despite this memorable achievement, neither side entered the competition last season but both are back in this time.

Sungate recorded a straight forward 3-0 win over Hammer OGB of the South West Herts league and have been rewarded with another home tie against fellow Essex boys, Torrun United, who recorded the biggest first round away win since Winlaton West End’s infamous 14-0 hammering of Kendal Bowman (which is still the record winning margin in the competition) way back in 1980, when they thrashed 2005 champions, Gossoms End, 10-0.

I’m sure Sungate will prove to be stiffer opposition than Gossoms End and I expect them to progress to round 3.

Eagle Cons removed from Sunday Cup

After beating Queens Park in the first round, Eagle Cons were due to play Derby Lane Gym in round two. However, their tie against Queens Park was suspended following an FA investigation. Eagle Cons were subsequently removed from the competition.

The above has been on the FA website for several weeks. I haven't mentioned this earlier, as I was hoping to find out a bit more about what had happened.

Although this has not been officially announced, Eagle Cons were removed because they fielded a player who plays in the Welsh football league and did not have international clearance to play in the Sunday Cup.

This, of course, brings back memories of the 2005 semi final, when Canada Edinburgh Park beat Gossoms End 4-0, only to be thrown out, due to Bangor City's Tony Grey not having international clearance either!

I've nearly finished a preview of some 2nd round games and hope to have the blog updated by Friday evening.

1st round review

Here is a review of some of the 1st round games.

Burradon & New Fordley 0 v Hetton Lyons Cricket Club 1
A 30 yard screamer from Marc Ellison secured three time winners Hetton Lyons passage in to the second round, as they came through a very tight game against Burradon & New Fordley of the Blyth & Wansbeck league.

Burradon, back in the Sunday Cup after a nine season absence, came close to opening the scoring on the 30 minute mark, when a spectacular overhead kick hit the cross bar.

Hetton should have taken the lead on 51 minutes, when a cross from the right from Joe Walton saw the unmarked Ian Watson put his header wide of the target. Other than these few highlights, neither side created many chances and with the game seemingly destined for extra time, substitute Marc Ellison picked the ball up in the midfield in the 86th minute and his long range strike gave the Burradon keeper no chance.

Falcons 12 v London Maccabi Lions 1
With joint managers Josh and Malcolm Newman unavailable and a number of regular players missing, the Maccabi Lions decided to forfeit the tie and withdrew from the competition.

However, when a replacement management duo were found, the club had a change of heart and decided to honour their commitment to the Sunday Cup and the game went ahead.

With only four first teamers at their disposal, the Lions drafted in four 17 year olds and four veterans (who had a combined age of 201) so, perhaps the result did not come as a surprise!

There were hat-tricks for Clift, Hefferon and Whitehead, whilst Lambert bagged a brace and Dalby had to be content with just the one goal, as Falcons went to town on their makeshift opponents.

South Bank (2006) 3 v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 5
It was a case of deja vu for South Bank in their game against Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter, as like last season (in their preliminary round tie against Kelloe) they held a 2-0 lead but were unable to go on and win the game, as five second half goals from Lion, completely turned the game on its head.

However, South Bank’s Stockton league rivals, Stockton Rosegale N&SA, had a memorable debut, beating sole Cumbrian entrants St Bees 6-0. They face another away tie in round two, to face double Bradford Sunday Alliance and West Riding County Sunday Cup winners, West Bowling, who recorded an impressive 4-0 away win against Obiter of the Liverpool Business Houses league, despite having a player sent off after only 20 minutes.

Nicosia 1 v Derby Lane Gym 4
2010/11 was a season to forget for former champions Nicosia, as they withdrew from the Sunday Cup without playing a game and were relegated from the Premier Division of the Liverpool Business Houses league.

Their return to the competition did not go as planned, as they were well beaten by Derby Lane Gym, for whom Smith, Lally, Kinny and Stanton were on the score-sheet.

Derby Lane Gym’s 2nd round tie against Eagle Cons has been suspended, pending an FA investigation.

A popular album from my youth in the 1980’s was London 0 Hull 4 by The Housemartins. However, it was more of a case of Hull 0 Liverpool 3, as all three sides from the Hull Sunday league were beaten at home by Scouse sides!

Hessle Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Canada, whose goals were scored by Tames and O’Brien, whilst Swanfield did at least manage a 3-3 draw with Allerton, only to lose 5-3 on penalties. AFC Blackburn Leisure were the third Hull side to exit, as BRNESC beat them 2-0.

It’s the second successive season that all of the East Riding’s sides have lost (or have withdrawn) in the first round and is a complete contrast to the league’s heyday in the mid to late 1990’s, when they had three finalists in six seasons.

A.C. Sportsman & Ravensborough 4 v Stanbridge & Tilsworth 1
Adey Bascombe (2), Matt Baldry and Neil Pugh were all on the score sheet for A.C. Sportsman in their routine win over Bedfordshire rivals Stanbridge, a quarter finalist back in 2008/09 but who have now exited at the first hurdle in the last two seasons.

Bari 1 v New Salamis 3
Debutants New Salamis have enjoyed success in the Kopa league and the London FA Sunday Challenge Cup and are fancied to do well in the FA Sunday Cup. They got their campaign underway with comfortable 3-1 win against Bari of the Essex Corinthian league, courtesy of goals from Richard Georgiou, George Gregoriou and David Hicks.

Tripimeni 4 Upshire 1
The Kopa league’s other Sunday Cup representatives are Tripimeni and like New Salamis, they are also expected to do well this season.

They suffered a setback when Waltham Sunday league champions, Upshire, took the lead in the 20th minute. However, Tripimeni recovered and scored 4 times through Ahmet Rifat, Darren Gray and a double from Nico.

Lobster 6 v Alder 4
There were goals galore in this all Liverpool clash, with the District league coming out on top, as Lobster beat Alder from the Business Houses league. Extra time was required to separate the sides and goals from Oliver (2), Flett, Andrews, Christian and Forshaw, saw the 1979 champions to through to the 2nd round, where they will face last season’s runners up, Paddock.

Gadeside Rangers 2 v FC Nirankari 5
The Watford Sunday league’s sole entry, debutants Gadeside Rangers, got off to a nightmare start, when they found themselves two goals down after just 15 minutes, against FC Nirankari from Stevenage.

The first goal came in the ninth minute, when the lively Theo Swaine made progress down the right hand side and his low cross was turned home by David Iwediuno at the far post. Gadeside looked shell shocked and worse was to follow six minutes later, when the home side were unable to clear another Swaine cross and Tegana James tame effort trickled into the far corner.

Gadeside were given a lifeline just before the half hour mark when Dave Nelmes was tripped in the area and Russ Popplewell stepped up and his confident spot kick reduced the deficit to one goal.

With half-time approaching, a Nirankari counter attack inside their own half, released Iwediuno and after his run was halted just outside the penalty area, Lee Wilson scored from the resultant free-kick, to restore Nirankari’s two goal advantage.

A superbly struck volley from sub Joe Pizans gave Gadeside renewed hope with 15 minutes to go. However, another penalty, this time awarded to Nirankari, was successfully converted on 83 minutes, by Lee Wilson.

Nirankari’s 5th was scored deep in to stoppage time, by Peter Duffy.

Chapeltown Fforde Grene 3 v Dengo United 1

After a family sickness bug put pay to my original plan of a North East Sunday Cup double – Sunderland RCA Barnes v Dawdon at 11:00am, followed by South Bank (2006) v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter at 2:00pm – I made my way to Garforth Town, to watch this Yorkshire v Liverpool clash.

This was the first Sunday Cup appearance of Chapeltown Fforde Grene, a merger of former entrants Chapeltown Brazil and Fforde Grene. And it was the new look Leeds side who opened the scoring on 17 minutes, when Dempsey Smith controlled the ball well inside the penalty area and rifled home.

It could have been 2-0 five minutes later, when a superb cross field run set up Dominic Blair, whose fierce strike only just flew over the cross bar. Fforde's did have the ball in the net four minutes later but the goal was quickly ruled out for a push in the build up. HT 1-0.

Dengo (whose name is taken from an engineering firm - Drawing Office and Engineering Office) hadn't shown much in the first half but started the second period better and levelled the score on the hour mark, when Paul Jones applied the finishing touch to cross-cum-shot from out of the area.

A through ball from Fernando Moke released his Garforth Town colleague, Dempsey Smith, whose low shot beat the keeper to his right, restoring Fforde’s lead with just 7 minutes remaining.

The same due combined well for the third goal in stoppage time, when some neat interplay down the left, set up Smith for his hat-trick chance and he duly obliged, with a stunning strike so seal a 3-1 victory.

2nd Round Draw

Ties to be played on 20th November at 2.00pm:
Home & Bargain v JOB
Allerton v Dawdon Colliery Welfare
Eagle Cons v Derby Lane Gym
West Bowling v Stockton Rosegale N&SA
Eden Vale v Kelloe WMC
Hetton Lyons Cricket Club v Chapeltown Fforde Grene
Oyster Martyrs v Belt Road
Paddock v Lobster
Britannia VNC v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter
Salisbury Athletic v BRNESC
Canada v Mariners
Loughborough Saints v St Josephs (Luton)
AC Sportsman & Ravensborough v Northampton Duke Of York
Magnet Tavern v Wymeswold
FC Houghton Centre v Club Lewsey
The Dog v Whitwick Compass 2008
Travellers v Seven Allstars
Lea Hall Sports & Social v St Margarets
Advance Couriers v Birstall Stamford
Highfield Social Club v Falcons
Greengate v Elm Farm
Gym United v FC Tripimeni
Comets Sports Club v Britannia United
Sungate v Torrun United
FC Nirankari v New Salamis
AFC Donsville v Hazelhurst
Barnes Albion v Nyetimber Pirates
C.K. v Dee Road Rangers
Wonford United v Lebeqs Tavern Courage
Bedfont Sunday v Branksome Con
All Saints v Lakeside Athletic
Wrightchoice CSA v The Lounge

First Round Results

Chapeltown Fforde Grene 3 v Dengo United 1 - match report to follow later
The Dog 4 v Hole in the Wall 0
Salisbury Athletic 4 Thirly 1
Kelloe WMC 1 v Hartlepool Rovers Quoit 0
Burradon & New Fordley 0 v Hetton Lyons 1
Belt Road 3 v Bolton Woods 0
Obiter 0 v West Bowling 4
Northampton St Margarets 2 v Luton Celtic SC 0
Sungate 3 Hammer OGB 0
St Josephs (Luton) 3 v Crawley Green Sunday 2
Hundred Acre 3 Advance Couriers 4
St Bees 0 v Stockton Rosegale N&SA 6
South Bank (2006) 3 v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 5
Sunderland RCA Barnes 2 v Dawdon Colliery Welfare 5
JOB 3 v Seymour 0
Lobster 6 v Alder 4
Mariners 4 v St Sebastians 3
Poulton Royal 1 v Home & Bargain 3
Loughborough Saints 2 v Clumber 1
Wymeswold 2 v Loughborough Falcons 1
Whitwick Compass 4 v Bartley Green Sunday 2
Kingshurst Punchbowl 1 Birstall Stamford 4
Belstone 0 v Grengate 3
Dee Road Rangers 5 v Broadfields United 3
C K 5 v Kings Tamerton CA 2
Efford United Bluebird 1 v All Saints
Lebeq Tavern Courage 3 v The Windmill 2
Railway Inn 0 v Wonford United 2
Sporting Bristol 1 v Lakeside Athletic 2
AFC Blackburn Leisure 0 v BRNESC 2
Hessle Rangers 1 v Canada 2
Swanfield 3 v Allerton 3 - Allerton won on penalties
Bedfont 5 v AFC Rayners Lane 2
Elm Farm 7 v North London Olympians 4
CB Hounslow United 0 v Wrightchoice CSA 2
The Lounge 2 v Knighton Arms 1
Hazelhurst 8 v Ajax LA 0
Nyetimber Pirates 4 v Fountain Court 2
Barnes Albion 2 AFC Kumazi Strikers 1

A big thanks to those who have supplied results

Entrant Review

Merseyside once again leads the way in the number of Sunday Cup entrants, with 25 sides accepted (22 are affiliated to the Liverpool FA, whilst the 3 Cheshire FA sides are all based on The Wirral).

Bedfordshire is the next best represented County, with 11 teams, of which 9 play in the North Home Counties league, including Sunday Cup stalwarts St Joseph’s, Celtic SC and FC Houghton Centre (who now operate in Division 2, which is the league’s 3rd tier of football).

Offley Moat are another side from the NHC league in the Sunday Cup but they are affiliated to the Hertfordshire FA, who have 7 entrants, including Berkhamsted league duo Gossoms End (2005 champions) and Comets Sports Club, who reached last season’s semi final.

Leicester and Rutland FA have 8 teams in from 3 different leagues. Their best chance of success will probably lay with 3 time semi finalists, Birstall Stamford of the Charnwood league.

Highfield Social Club of the Banbury & District league are Oxfordshire FA’s first representatives in the Sunday Cup for over 10 years! They reached the final of last seasons Oxfordshire County Sunday Cup, scoring 29 goals in just 4 games. However, they have a tough ask on Sunday, when they entertain Houghton Town from the North Home Counties league.

After years of under achievement, there is a genuine buzz of excitement about the quality of teams in from London. Hazelhurst from the Morden & District league have re-entered, after a season out. They reached the semi finals two seasons back, losing 2-1 to Hetton Lyons.

Kopa league duo New Salamis and FC Tripimeni (under their former name of Aris) are both former winners of the London FA Sunday Challenge Cup and both sides are tipped to do well. Tripimeni pushed last season’s semi finalists, Duke of York, all the way in their 3rd round game, losing by a goal to nil.

Debutants Barnes Albion have enjoyed success in both the Surrey and Middlesex County FA's Sunday cup competitions in recent seasons and carry a strong reputation. They are one of 7 Middlesex based sides in this season and will no doubt draw inspiration from their West Middlesex league rivals and former runners up Bedfont Sunday, who reached last seasons quarter finals.

I’m disappointed that Huddersfield Irish Centre will not be taking part this season. This could well be due to the fact that the Huddersfield Sunday league folded in the summer, after 43 years. Irish, who enjoyed some great battles with Oyster Martyrs, Scots Grey and Hetton Lyons, to name but a few, have joined the Kirklees Sunday league, so we may see them return to Sunday Cup action next season..

I'm glad to see that the number of withdrawals is significantly lower than last season (so far!). However, it's sad to learn that London Maccabi Lions are the second team to withdraw this season, so debutants Falcons of the Cambridge and District league receive a walkover in to round 2.

Bighouse are the first casualty...

Debutants Bighouse from the Wallasey & District league are the first side to withdraw from this seasons competition. Britannia VNC have a walkover in to Round 2.

Hopefully, we will avoid a repeat of last season, when 10 teams withdrew/were unable to fulfil their fixture!

First Round draw

Ties to be played on 16th October, 2.00pm kick off

South Bank (2006) v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter
Kelloe WMC v Hartlepool Rovers Quoit
St Bees v Stockton Rosegale N&SA
Sunderland RCA Barnes v Dawdon Colliery Welfare
Burradon & New Fordley v Hetton Lyons Cricket Club
Chapeltown Fforde Grene v Dengo United
Lobster v Alder
Eagle Cons v Queens Park
Obiter v West Bowling
Nicosia v Derby Lane Gym
AFC Blackburn Leisure v BRNESC
Sandstone v Eden Vale
Belt Road v Bolton Woods
Hessle Rangers v Canada
Poulton Royal v Home & Bargain
Mariners v St Sebastians
Swanfield v Allerton
Bighouse v Britannia VNC
JOB v Seymour
Salisbury Athletic v Thirly
Hundred Acre v Advance Couriers
Wymeswold v Loughborough Falcons
Loughborough Saints v Clumber
FC Hoskins v Lea Hall Sports & Social
Whitwick Compass 2008 v Bartley Green Sunday
Magnet Tavern v Plough Barfly's
The Beacon Way v Hole In The Wall
Kingshurst Punchbowl v Birstall Stamford
Travellers v R.H.P Sports & Social
Seven Allstars v Hamstead YFC
St Josephs (Luton) v Crawley Green (Sunday)
Rumours v FC Houghton Centre
Club Lewsey v Duke Of Rutland
AC Cadoza v Northampton Duke Of York
AC Sportsman & Ravensborough v Stanbridge & Tilsworth
Highfield Social Club v Houghton Town (Sunday)
St Margarets v Celtic SC (Luton)
Co-op Sports v Britannia United
Belstone v Greengate
Gossoms End v Torrun United
Gadeside Rangers v FC Nirankari
Bari v New Salamis
Sungate v Hammer OGB
Royal Falcons v Comets Sports Club
Falcons v London Maccabi Lions
FC Tripimeni v Upshire
Gym United v Offley Moat
Elm Farm v North London Olympians
CB Hounslow United (Sunday) v Wrightchoice CSA
Barnes Albion v AFC Kumazi Strikers
Bedfont Sunday v AFC Rayners Lane
Dee Road Rangers v Broadfields United
AFC Donsville v Oak Park Rangers
Branksome Con v Goring Rangers
The Lounge v Knighton Arms
Hazelhurst v Ajax LA
Nyetimber Pirates v Fountain Court
C.K. v Kings Tamerton CA
Sporting Bristol v Lakeside Athletic
Efford United Bluebird v All Saints
The Railway Inn v Wonford United
Lebeqs Tavern Courage v Windmill

Oyster Martyrs and Paddock are exempt to Round 2

Number of entries confirmed

126 teams have been accepted in to this season’s FA Sunday Cup. Whilst this still remains a comparatively high figure (the average number of entrants through most of the competition’s history has been approx 100 a season), it is actually the lowest number since 115 were accepted in 2004/05.

2004/05 was the last season not to feature a preliminary round and the FA have notified all club Secretaries to confirm that under the current structure of the competition and due to the number of teams accepted, there will be no preliminary round this season.

The draw for the first round will be published on the FA’s website on Friday 26th August. The first round games will take place on 16th October.

2010/11 Season Review

The 47th FA Sunday Cup season commenced on 26th September, when the preliminary round games were played. This is the sixth consecutive season that the Sunday Cup has had a preliminary round and in each of those seasons, the number of entrants has exceeded 130, which is an impressive increase when compared to 2002/03, when just 90 teams entered. So, despite a worryingly long list of withdrawals, the Sunday Cup is actually enjoying a golden period in terms of the number of teams entering it.

There were only four preliminary round ties but they did take place in some of the competitions heartland areas of Liverpool, the North East and the West Midlands.

Unfortunately, Sandon Dock were the first team to withdraw, when they were unable to fulfil their fixture against Oak Tree Pub.

The other all Liverpool tie featured two ‘debutants’, Eagle Cons and Eden Vale (although Eagle were back-to-back finalists in the 1980’s and Eden Vale were semi finalists in 1997 and 1998).

For me, the first round is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar, as I decide which local side to watch.

In the end, I made the short journey to Thackley, to watch Wharfedale Triangle champions Malt Shovel play West Riding County Cup winners and Bradford Alliance champions, West Bowling. I made Bowling the favourites and they certainly justified this, by taking the lead in the first minute through a penalty.

However, Shovel equalised midway through the first half and only succumbed to an 88th minute winner, which on the balance of play, flattered Bowling.

This was a nightmare round for the traditionally strong Hull Sunday league, as all of their representatives went out. AFC Blackburn Leisure, Swanfield and Hessle Rangers all lost to North East opposition, whilst West Lee were one of the nine sides to withdraw.

For such a huge fan of the Sunday Cup, I found the number of withdrawals to be particularly disappointing. However, in the current economic climate, the costs of staging a home tie in the competition can be too much for a lot of sides.

The highest profile side to withdraw were two time champions Nicosia. I don’t know the reason for their withdrawal but based on their on the field displays, it was the correct decision, as they were sadly relegated from the Premier Division of the Liverpool Business Houses league.

It was also a disappointing day for the Cumberland FA, as they too watched all three of their entrants crash out.

Probably the unluckiest side were Gamlingay United, who lost despite scoring 5 goals in their home tie against former finalists, FC Houghton Centre.

Eden Vale were drawn away from home in the second round for the third
game running and managed a repeat of their preliminary round result, namely a 2-2 draw, followed by a 4-3 success in their penalty shoot out, over local rivals Home and Bargain.

Debutants Clumber from Nottingham claimed the result of the round, when they beat last season's runners up, Magnet Tavern.

Another impressive result was Queens Park’s victory over Witton Park Rose and Crown, although I’m sure having home advantage sure helped, following two postponements at West Auckland Town.

Another Durham v Merseyside clash saw Kelloe WMC pushed the much-fancied Oyster Martyrs all the way in their match at Coxhoe, only succumbing to the odd goal in 5.

Kelloe went on to win the Durham County FA Sunday Cup. They beat Hetton Lyons in the semi final, ending their 5 year unbeaten run!!

There were no prizes for guessing the result of the third round, as this was bestowed to Paddock who beat legends Hetton Lyons 3-2 in another tie that was reverted from the North East to Merseyside, as the weather played havoc with the northern half of the draw. Highlights of this stunning win can be found on youtube!

After several postponements, Mariners and Alder made (what I believe to be) Sunday Cup history, when they played their outstanding game on Thursday 20th January at Formby, thus becoming the first tie to be played midweek. Mariners triumphed by 4 goals to 1.

I was lucky enough to witness a first half master class from the Sunday Cup’s standout player of this season, Leighton McGivern, as he pretty much took on the Huddersfield Irish defence single handed, as his side, Oyster Martyrs, gained revenge for their defeat in the third round last season.

While high scoring mis-matches can often be found in the earlier rounds, it is unusual for them to occur in the latter stages of the competition. However, Oyster Martyr’s 7-1 fourth round demolition of Sunderland RCA Barnes, was
the first time a side had scored 7 in a last 16 game since Celtic SC (Luton) beat Oakwood Sports 7-0 in 1997.

Home advantage counted for very little in the fifth round, as three of the four teams drawn at home lost. Paddock achieved another quality result by travelling all the way down to Hampshire to beat Knighton Arms of the City of Southampton league by 4-1.

The two Scouse sides dominated the semi-finals, with both Oyster Martyrs and Paddock enjoying comfortable 3 goal winning margins. Paddock recorded another 4-1 win, this time over Comets Sports Club of the Berkhamsted league, Whilst Oyster Martyrs were 3-0 winners against Duke of York at Rushden & Diamonds.

It was disappointing to note that both semi-final attendances were less than 400. In the past, I’ve seen first round games with bigger crowds!

Due to the unavailability of Anfield, the first all Merseyside final was played at Tranmere and I think it’s fair to say that the occasion got the better of both sides, with neither able to recapture the form they had shown in earlier rounds.

A flash of inspiration from star man Leighton McGivern was the difference between the sides, as his strike made up for the pain of 2009, when Oyster narrowly lost in the final to Scots Grey.

Sunday Cup blog
A few weeks after the blog was launched in July, I decided to add a stat counter to monitor the number of visits to the site, in order to make sure that I wasn’t just rambling on to myself!

The results have been very encouraging and I’m delighted to announce that since August, there has been over 4,000 page loads, and 1,800 visitors (of which over 1,000 have returned to the site).

For a Sunday football competition with very little in the way of publicity (outside of the FA website) I’m delighted that the blog has found an audience and look forward to seeing the figures continuing to rise next season!

2011/2012 round dates

The round dates for the new season are as follows:

Preliminary round - 25th September - 2.00pm kick off

First round - 16th October - 2.00pm kick off

Second round - 20th November - 1.00pm kick off

Third round - 11th December - 1.00pm kick off

Fourth round - 22nd January - 1.00pm kick off

Fifth round - 19th February - 2.00pm kick off

Semi final - 18th March - 3.00pm kick off

Final - 28th April - 3.00pm kick off

The closing date for entries is 1st August. The list of entrants and draw for the preliminary and first rounds are usually available several weeks after.

Photos from the final

This is a photo of the Cowshed end at Prenton Park, taken during the warm up

More warming up in the Wirral sunshine, with the Johnny King stand in the background

Oyster Martyrs warm up in front of the impressive Kop stand, which proved to be a lucky omen for them, as they scored the game's only goal at that end of the ground

The FA dignitaries are introduced to both teams, staring with Paddock

Paddock defend an Oyster free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box. Oyster danger man Leighton McGivern is closely marked (he is the only blue shirted player in the D)

Paddock now on the attack with a free kick of their own in front of the Cowshed end

Paddock keep possession despite the close attention of the Oyster defence and midfield

Quarter Final Photos

The following ground and action photos were taken on the 20th of February at the 5th round game between Mariners and Duke of Yorkwhich was played at the Liverpool County FA ground at Walton Hall Park

As you can see, the LFA ground boasts an impressive stand and floodlights. They very kindly offered to stage the game for free, as a reward for three of their sides reaching the quarter finals. The LFA drew lots to decide which side would play there and Mariners name was drawn first - however, thats where their luck ended, as they lost 2-1 to Duke of York

There are two identical grounds at Walton Hall. The near side is used more frequently than the ground furthest away, which is used for Liverpool Schools FA games. Photos of the various Liverpool School sides adorn the club house and I managed to pick out a young Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman amongst the many successful teams

Mariners of the Ormskirk and District league (wearing the Barcelona FC replica kit) depend a Duke of York corner.

This time it's Duke of York from the Northamptonshire Combination's turn to defend a Mariners corner, at the opposite end of the ground

This photo perfectly illustrates the flat, wide playing surface of this ground. The pitch is in very good condition, bearing in mind the awful winter weather we had that caused so many postponements.

FA Sunday Cup photos

I bought a digital camera at Christmas and decided to take some ground and action photos from the Sunday Cup games that I've been to this year.

Being somewhat of a technophobe and possessing only the most basic of photography 'skills', it's taken me until now to get around to uploading them from the camera, deciding which photos to use and updating the blog with the results!

Having found it to be a refreshingly easy and straightforward process, I will endeavour to take more photos next season and include some in the match report for that game.

The following photos are from the 3rd round game between Huddersfield Irish Centre and Oyster Martyrs, which was played on the 9th of January. Oyster won 5-3 and gained revenge over the Irish who beat them at the same stage in the previous season.

I'll add some more photos from other games (including the final) shortly.

This photo is of the main stand at Newton FC, on the Wirral, which is where the fixture was played, following two postponements in West Yorkshire.

Oyster dangerman Leighton McGivern (Green and White Hopes, No 10) ran the Irish backline ragged in the first half. In an extremely impressive display, he was simply unplayable and his performance is as good as any player I have seen in over 25 years of watching this competition.

Leighton McGivern (standing furthest on the left) lines up the direct free kick which will give Oyster the lead after just ten minutes of play. McGivern had recently signed for local Conference North outfit Vauxhall Motors and has scored 10 goals for The Motormen since January.

Taken a few seconds later, following McGivern's wonder strike which flew past Graham McLachlan in the Irish goal.

Oyster manager, Richie Rooney (stood on the touchline), is an interested specator, as Oyster soak up some late Irish pressure.

The Final Verdict

Oyster Martyrs deservedly won the Sunday Cup at Prenton Park with a close fought victory over their local rivals Paddock.

After a largely uninspired first half, where chances were restricted to long range free kicks, the game belatedly sprang to life in the 75th minute, when a throw in from the left was headed on at the near post and found prolific marksman Leighton McGivern, whose low shot nestled in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal. You have to feel sorry for Paddock keeper Robert O’Connor, whose view of McGivern’s shot was obscured by his own defenders, thus giving him no chance of making a save.

Oyster came close to doubling their lead two minutes later, when a vicious shot from Graham Rooney was turned over by O’Connor. A header from Oyster Captain Tony Rendell, from the resulting corner, was headed off the line, as Oyster went for the kill.

Paddock’s best effort came with only 5 minutes remaining, when after a short spell of pressure, a shot from the edge of the penalty box sailed just wide of the Oyster goal.

A crude attempt to win a penalty from Paddock’s semi final hero Jamie Henders in the dying minutes was deserving of a yellow card. However, referee Russell Booth resisted booking the big target man for his blatant dive!

For years now, I’ve wanted to travel to Merseyside to watch two Liverpool teams lock horns in this wonderful competition. Sadly, neither side was able to recapture the form that has between them, seen off the likes of Hetton Lyons, Huddersfield Irish Centre and Duke of York.

This was the first time I have watched Paddock and I feel they gave a poor showing of themselves today. I’m sure they are capable of better. As for Oyster, I have seen them 5 times over the past few years and I know they can play a lot better than I saw them yesterday.

Perhaps I’m being harsh on both sides, after all, the chance to play in such a final only falls to a small number of players and the occasion is bound to effect even the most experienced and skilful of players.

Man of the Match: Leighton McGivern

Attendance: 1,105

Oyster beat Paddock to lift Sunday Cup

A goal from Leighton McGivern late in the second half was enough to hand the FA Sunday Cup to Oyster Martyrs in a crowd of 1,105 at Tranmere Rovers this afternoon - full report to come later...

Ground breaking...

As the climax of this season’s competition approaches and as Prenton Park has been chosen as the final venue, I’ve decided to look back at previous games played there and at some of the other key grounds in the competition’s history.

Tranmere Rovers
Prenton Park became the first football league ground to stage the final back in 1981, when local side and reigning champions Fantail, beat Mackintosh of the Norwich and District league, by a goal to nil, to become the first team to successfully retain the Sunday Cup.

Four years later, there was another Merseyside and Norfolk final, as Avenue from the Birkenhead league met Hobbies United in a replay, following a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road. A 2-2 draw at Tranmere, took the final to an unprecedented third game at Nuneaton Borough, where Hobbies triumphed by 2 goals to 1.

Avenue were in action again at Tranmere the following season, when they beat Fantail Autex 3-1 in a semi final replay. This set up a final against Glenn Sports, with the Watford-based members of the South West Hertfordshire league travelling up to the Wirral for another Prenton Park final!

A crowd of 2,552 watched as a 47th minute Dave Thompson penalty was enough for the ‘home’ side to lift the trophy for their first and only victory.

After being selected to host four key games in six seasons, Tranmere had quickly become one of the most popular (and at the time, high profile) venues in the Sunday Cup’s history, so it’s somewhat surprising that they have had a 25 year wait to stage another important game. Lets hope this year’s final has been worth the wait!

Spennymoor United
First used as a final venue in 1973, when local side Wear Valley played 1967 champions Carlton United in front of a crowd estimated at 4,000, Spennymoor’s Brewery Field ground hosted 3 finals in just 5 seasons.

Whilst Wear Valley lost in extra time, both Brandon United in 1976 and Langley Park Rams Head in 1977 fared better, in what was County Durham’s finest hour in the competition, until recently.

Over 10 years had passed by the time Spennymoor was chosen as the venue for the semi final between Humbledon Plains Farm and Avenue in 1988.

Liverpool
Arguably the best and most high profile ground to stage the final (with apologies to Newcastle United and Aston Villa) Anfield certainly holds the record for the most final games, with 8 consecutive finals between 2003 to 2010.

You may think holding the final at Anfield would have inspired the local teams to have built on there already highly impressive Sunday Cup achievements but in that 8 year period, only 3 Liverpool sides reached the final and only one of them (Nicosia in 2004) was victorious.

In fact, this period in the competition’s history was dominated by teams from County Durham, who even had an all Durham final in 2008, when Hetton Lyons gained revenge over Coundon Cons for ending their chances of retaining the Sunday Cup the season before.

Whilst it was great for the Sunday Cup to have been played at such a ground for so many years, I feel it’s a shame that the 2008 final could not have been played at Sunderland or Newcastle, as it would have been great for that area to have had two local sides in the final (which is hopefully what will happen at Tranmere this season!).

Marine
Given that Anfield and Prenton Park are the two grounds to have staged the most finals and that Liverpool clubs have an unparalleled record in the Sunday Cup, it comes as no surprise to learn that the record for hosting the most semi final games is held by Marine.

Nine semi finals have been played at the Crosby based Northern Premier League team’s ground, the first being in 1984, when Eagle beat Lodge Cottrell 2-1.

In 1991, it held the local affair between Nicosia and Eagle Knowsley, with Nicosia winning 1-0.

Nicosia were back again in 2004 for another Merseyside match up, this time against A3 (Canada). The Nics obviously enjoyed playing at Marine, as they won by 3 goals to 2 and as in 1991, went on to win the final.

Tranmere Rovers to host the final

The FA has announced that Prenton Park, the home of Tranmere Rovers, will host the final,which will be played on Sunday 1st May, with a 2.00 kick off.

It won't be the first time that Prenton Park has been chosen to stage the final game (in fact, I believe it was the first football league ground to do so - I will check this out later, when I get home!!).

Congratulations to both sides for reaching the final. I'm looking forward to it already!

Semi final results

Paddock 4 Comets Sports Club 1
(J. Henders 3, S. Brown) (S. Wood - Comets)

Northampton Duke of York 0 Oyster Martyrs 3

History is made, as we have the first all Liverpool FA Sunday Cup final.

Due to a family commitment, I was unable to watch a game today but thankfully, I've been kept fully up to date by Ian Porter of Salisbury Athletic and Andy Gilman. Many thanks to them.

The Last Time...

As three of the four remaining teams have already experienced playing in a semi final, I thought it a good opportunity to stroll down memory lane and revisit the last time they made it to this stage.

As Comets Sports are the ‘odd one out’, I’ve decided to include the memorable details of the first Berkhamsted league team to reach the last four, namely Gossoms End.

Northampton Duke of York
Duke of York blazed their way to the 2002-03 semi finals, with some pretty impressive results, the first one being a 3-0 win at Celtic SC (Luton) in the first round.

Celtic SC were members of the North Home Counties league, whose teams regularly made it to the latter stages during the early 2000’s, so this made the result even more impressive.

2001 quarter finalists Biggleswade received a 5-1 footballing lesson on their own ground in round 2, whilst Essex based Lea Bridge Rangers were dispatched 3-0 in round 3.

Quested were humbled 6-1 in the last 16 and experienced Sunday Cup campaigners Reading Irish were beaten 3-0 in the quarter finals, to set up a mouth watering semi final against St Joseph’s from Luton.

However, this tie never materialised, as St Joseph’s were removed from the competition for fielding an ineligible player, so the team they had beaten 3-1 in the quarter finals, Travellers from Birmingham, were granted a reprieve and faced Duke of York in the semi final at Solihull Borough.

Despite the absence of Sunday Cup legends St Joseph’s, both teams served up a feast of football and with just 15 minutes remaining, it appeared that Travellers were on their way to Anfield, as they lead 2-0.

A brace from James Westley and a Russell Dunkley goal 3 minutes from time completely changed the game in favour of the Northampton side. The excitement was yet to end, however, as, amazingly, Travellers restored parity in the final minute to force extra time!

A further goal from Dunkley and a 114th minute strike from Steve Jelley was enough to finally overcome a spirited display from Travellers and send Duke of York to the final.

A crowd of 2,203 saw Duke of York clinch the title by beating local boys Allerton 3-1, courtesy of another Russell Dunkley brace and a goal from sub Paul Edgeworth.

Paddock
Paddock’s 2007/08 Sunday Cup got off to a flying start when they beat former finalists Albion Sports 3-1 in the first round.

Heywood Irish Centre were thrashed 6-1 in round 2 and the previous season’s semi finalists, Barrys, were put to the sword in round 3, as Paddock ran out 4-1 winners.

Silsden were Paddock’s third Yorkshire conquest in round 4, when they lost 2-1, in a tie that was played in Liverpool, following two postponements in West Yorkshire.

An emphatic 4-0 win over Club Lewsey at Skelmersdale in the quarter final, set up a semi final meeting against 2006 champions Hetton Lyons at Marine.

Two goals from Adam Johnston gave the Durham side a 2-0 half time lead and Paddock’s task became that much harder, when they were reduced to 10 men, for a second bookable offence.

The final that year was an all Durham affair, with Hetton Lyons gaining revenge for 2nd round defeat the previous season, by beating Coundon Con Club at Anfield.

Oyster Martyrs
A few weeks before Duke of York beat Celtic SC (Luton) in the first round in the 2002/03 season, a certain 16 year old boy watched the Croxteth derby between former winners Lobster and Oyster. A few weeks later, he would score the match-winning goal that would end Premiership champions Arsenal’s 30 match unbeaten run.

However, it was Lobster that Wayne Rooney had come to support, not Oyster, as this is where his family loyalties lay at the time.

By the 2008/09 season, the Rooney’s has swopped their allegiances to Oyster and it was their first round result that propelled them in to the limelight, as they recorded an impressive 7-4 victory over former winners Nicosia.

After disposing of local rivals Ford Motors in the 2nd round, Oyster were drawn at home against Coundon Con Club, who were bidding to reach a third successive final, in only their third season in the Sunday Cup!

Oyster ended Coundon’s bid with a 3-1 victory that earned the Scouse side a trip to Lincolnshire, to face Magnet Tavern. A hard fought 2-1 win set up another home tie against strong opposition in the form of Witton Park Rose and Crown, who were making their Sunday Cup debut that season.

Another close game saw Oyster edge past the Durham side and in to the semi final, where they would meet the exotically named Fforde Grene Brazil from Leeds!

The game was played in blustery conditions at Nethermoor Park, the home of Guiseley, which after the Yorkshire team’s successes in the FA Vase and FA Trophy in the 1990’s, achieved the rare feat of hosting a semi final in three different FA competitions.

I remember this game well and unfortunately, the strong winds that day put pay to any chances of watching a classic game

A brace from midfielder Ian Latham and a goal from Thomas Rooney proved to be enough to see off Leeds-based Fforde Grene.

Oyster took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Ian Latham’s 25 yard strike gave the home goalkeeper no chance. Fforde’s equalised on the stroke of half time when Craig Harding headed home a left wing cross.

The Martyrs were back in front 10 minutes after the restart. Fforde didn’t clear a free-kick properly and the ball fell nicely to Latham who calmly slotted home.
Ten minutes later it was 3-1 as Thomas Rooney finished clinically from close range.

Luis De Melo netted from the edge of the area late on but to set up a nervy finale but Fforde Grene couldn’t find an equaliser and Oyster went through to the final, where they played Nottingham side Scots Grey, who accounted for Hetton Lyons in the quarter final.

Scots Grey beat Oyster in a great advert for the high standard that teams who play in the Sunday Cup are capable of reaching.

Gossoms End
Berkhamsted league outfit were one of eleven sides to receive a bye in the first round of the 2004/05 season, which was the last season that the FA handed out multiples byes. The FA decided to restrict exemptions to the finalists from the previous season, from 2005/06.

Rainham Sports were swept aside in the 2nd round and this was followed up with an impressive 2-0 away win at St Joseph’s (Luton) in round 3.

A 2-1 win was enough to end 2002 quarter finalists Lebeq Tavern Courage’s hopes of progressing and another 2-1 home win, this time against Casino in round 5, set up a tough semi final against experienced Sunday Cup campaigners Canada Edinburgh Park from the Liverpool Business Houses league at Burscough.

Despite the late withdrawal of key defender Paul Aldridge, who played in the 2001 FA Vase final for Berkhamsted Town, Gossoms End began the game brightly but conceded two goals in a nightmare two minute spell at the end of the first half, as they struggled to contain Canada’s strike trio of Adam Williams, Tony Grey and man of the match Lee Spike, who between them, scored all of Canada’s four goals.

An Albion Sports victory in the other semi final at Marine, set up the prosect of a great final at Anfield. However, later that week, the FA confirmed that they had received a protest from Gossoms End regarding Canada’s Tony Grey, who was a non-contract player for Bangor City in the League of Wales.

In order to play for Canada, Grey would have needed International Clearance from the FA, which had not been obtained. The FA Sunday Cup Sub-Committee upheld the protest and Canada were removed from the competition for fielding an ineligible player!

The big question here is how did a team from Berkhamsted know that a player with a Liverpool Sunday team did not have International Clearance? Both teams admitted to knowing very little about each other, when interviewed before the semi final, so how did all this come about?

Well, the story at the time was that Burscough had attempted to sign the player before he signed for Bangor and being a local lad, they were only too aware of him and decided to tip Gossoms End off about him, so they could protest to the FA.

Lady luck smiled on the Hertfordshire side in the final, when a complete fluke of a goal won them the Sunday Cup.

The FA Sunday Cup - A Scouse Obsession?

The draw for the semi finals has kept the two remaining Liverpool teams apart and with both Paddock and Oyster Martyrs considered as favourites to reach the final, the anticipation of an all Merseyside final is starting to build.

Despite dominating the competition for many years in terms of the number of entrants and providing more champion teams than any other region (11 of the 46 former winners are from Liverpool) there has never been an all Liverpool final!

I think the chances of this happening this year are very good, as the two strong Liverpool & District leagues sides are definitely the teams to beat. However, I will preview the semi finals nearer the time, so I thought this a good opportunity to look back through the history books and explore Liverpool’s obsession with the Sunday Cup.

As mentioned above, there are more teams in the Sunday Cup from Liverpool than from any other area – 26 of this season’s 131 entrants are affiliated to the Liverpool FA (this increases to 31, when adding the 5 teams representing the Cheshire FA, all of whom play in Birkenhead or Wallasey based leagues)

So, one in five of all teams in this season’s competition hail from Liverpool and this is consistent when comparing the list of entrants from previous years. In fact, for pretty much every one of the last twenty seasons, 20% of all teams entered in the Sunday Cup are from Liverpool, which is an amazing record and a testament to the strength in depth of Sunday football in that part of the country.

It would appear that the catalyst for the huge levels of interest the Sunday Cup commands on Merseyside was a staggering period of success, in the five seasons between 1979 and 1983, when Lobster, Fantail, Dingle Rail and Eagle were all crowned the best Sunday team in England.

However, it wasn’t always like this, as up until 1979, the achievements of Liverpudlian teams were distinctly average, with Canada in 1970 being the area’s sole semi finalists in the in the Sunday Cup’s 15 year history.

This golden period of Merseyside success began when Lobster defeated Sunday Cup legends Carlton United, in the 1978/9 final at Southport. Carlton were making their third appearance in the final and fielded an experienced team that included ex pro’s and players who had appeared in the finals of the FA Vase and FA Amateur Cup. Undeterred, Lobster won 3-2 and brought the Cup back to Croxteth, the Liverpool suburb that would produce runners up Croxteth & Gilmoss RBL and Oyster Martyrs in later years.

No doubt inspired by the breakthrough success of Lobster, Liverpool sides made the Sunday Cup their own in the 1980’s, as nine of the decade’s ten finals, featured a Merseyside team!

This amazing run set a number of records:

· Fantail were the first team to retain the trophy
· Eagle and Lee Chapel North were the first back-to-back finalists
· Avenue were the first team to reach three successive finals

It was future winners, Sunderland Humbledon Plains Farm, who halted Avenue’s quest to reach their fourth consecutive final in 1988, when they triumphed 2-1 at Spennymoor. This was the year that a Liverpool side failed to reach the final.

The 1990’s proved to be a classic case of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s show’ as only three Liverpool teams reached the final in that decade. Instead, it was Sunday Cup legends Marston Sports from Wolverhampton and St Joseph’s (Luton) who dominated in the 1990’s, as between them, they appeared in seven finals.

Liverpool looked to have reclaimed it’s crown as the home of the nation’s best Sunday teams when Britannia, Allerton and Nicosia reached successive finals from 2002 to 2004, however, there has only been one finalist since, as the new Century has been dominated by the North East, with five victories.

I’ve seen countless Liverpool teams over the years, including some of the greats, such as Avenue, Nicosia, Almithak and A3 (who never made the final but consistently reached the latter stages). From what I have seen, all Liverpool teams are competitive and their very best sides are amongst the finest in the Country.

Paddock and Oyster Martyrs have battled their way to within just one game of the final. Are they the teams to end the 30 year wait for an all Liverpool final? We’ll soon find out!

Semi final venues announced

As confidently predicted, the Marine v Comets game will be played at Marine.

Duke of York v Oyster Martyrs will be played at Rushden & Diamonds.

Both ties to take place on Sunday 20th March, with a 14:00 kick off.

Semi Final draw

Ties to be played on Sunday 20th March - 14:00 ko

Paddock v Comets Sports Club

Northampton Duke of York v Oyster Martyrs

Venues to be announced later.

The Paddock and Comets game will almost certainly be played at Marine, as it is the FA's venue of choice for semi final games in Liverpool. Between 2004 and 2008 there were five consecutive semi finals in Liverpool. All of them were played at Marine (in 2005, the remaining two Liverpool teams were drawn at 'home'. The other tie was played at Burscough).

However, Marine has not been a happy hunting ground for the locals in recent years, as the last four 'home' teams to play there have all lost, so perhaps Comets can take some consolation from this!

However, after tipping Oyster and Paddock as favourite's to reach the final, the possibility of the first all Liverpool final is still on.

I'm not as certain of the venue for the Duke of York and Oyster game but the FA have staged semi finals and finals at Corby, Kettering, Irthlingborough, Rugby and Hinckley, so take your pick!

The FA don't generally hang around when selecting the semi final grounds, so I expect to update the blog with confirmation of both venues shortly.

5th round report and results

I drove over to Liverpool earlier today to watch the quarter final game between:

Mariners 1 Duke of York 2

Played at Liverpool County FA ground - Walton Hall Park, Liverpool

Duke of York from Northampton started brightly and forced Mariners on the back foot from the start. They took the lead after 20 minutes, when Dan Holman latched on to a through ball and slotted home past the advancing keeper.

Mariners should have equalised very shortly after, when Sean Tierney created some space in the penalty box only to see his shot go agonisingly wide of the goal. Mariners did restore parity on 35 minutes through Ryan Keyo's clinical finish.

Duke of York regained the lead 10 minutes in to the 2nd half, when Mariners keeper Kevin O'Brien, failed to hold Dan Quigley's free kick and the ball fell for Dan Holman, who tapped in from close range.

O'Brien redeemed himself a few minutes later, when he tipped Ben Foster's effort round the post.

Both teams created chances and Mariners had to make two goal line clearances in the 86th minute, to keep the tie alive. Despite the trickery of Keyo and pushing central defender Mark White upfront, Mariners were unable to find another equaliser and Duke of York progress to the semi final.

Other Results
Oyster Martyrs 1 Club Lewsey 0
Knighton Arms 1 Paddock 4
Bedfont Sunday 1 Comets SC 2

Well done Liverpool County FA

A big well done to Liverpool County FA, who decided to honour the achievements of their remaining sides in the Sunday Cup by providing the facilities at their Walton Hall Park HQ for free, to Mariners for tomorrow's quarter final tie against Northampton Duke of York.

On 25th January, LCFA Chief Executive, David Pugh, personally contacted all 3 sides (Oyster Martyrs, Mariners and Salisbury Athletic) to advise them that they would decide which team would play at their ground, by making a draw.

Oyster had already qualified for the QF, so their name went in first. However, it was Mariners/Salisbury's name who was drawn out (which explains why an FA Competition bulletin I saw had both Mariners and Salisbury playing at the LCFA ground, before their tie had been resolved).

I'm sure that Mariners will appreciate the support they are receiving from the LCFA and the opportunity to play on a much envied playing suface.

So, well done to the LCFA for this gesture. Other County FA's take note!!

Many thanks to Ian Porter and the excellent Salisbury Athletic programme for this information.

Who will win the Sunday Cup?

As the Sunday Cup enters in to the business end of the season, I'm sure that
many of you are wondering who will be crowned 2010/11 champions.

I've complied a brief summary of the runners and riders and detailed those who I believe will win the trophy (hopefully I will fare better with this prediction than I did with my top tips!!)

Oyster Martyrs
- 2009 Runners up Oyster have to be considered as one of the favourites for this season's competition
- Play in the highly competitive (and successful) Liverpool & District league, which had 13 teams entered in this season’s competition!!
- Recorded very impressive results in their last two Sunday Cup games that saw them score 12 goals
- Key players include: Leighton McGivern (ex Rochdale and Accrington Stanley) and Thomas Rooney

Paddock
- Like Oyster, they ply their trade in the Liverpool & District league
- Reached the semi finals back in 2008, where they lost 2-0 to eventual winners Hetton Lyons at Marine
- Gained their revenge when they achieved this seasons standout result in defeating Hetton in the 3rd round
- Several players turn out with Marine in the Northern Premier League (including John Shaw and Steven Hussey)

Mariners
- The third Merseyside team in the last 8, they are members of the Ormskirk & District league (they are bidding to become the first team from that league to reach the semi final)
- Made their debut last season, when they went out in the 2nd round
- Their man danger man is Ryan Keyo, whose skill and pace has been the undoing of several good teams this season. Goal scorer Sean Tierney has benefited from Keyo’s assists
- 100% league record after 6 games (scored 25, only conceded 2)

Northampton Duke of York
- Were winners of the first final to be held at Anfield, back in 2003
- Repeated their 2003 semi final win over Travellers from Birmingham in the 4th round
- Will not be fazed by travelling to Liverpool, as they were drawn away in each of the first three rounds (including a 1st round win at Sunday Cup legends St Joseph’s (Luton)

Knighton Arms
- Can justifiably lay claim to be the best Sunday team in Hampshire
- They are the reigning Hampshire County FA Sunday Senior Cup holders (they beat AFC Southsea 11-0 in the final!). They have also reached this season’s final
- Knighton have dominated the City of Southampton Premier Division title. They have been champions for the past two seasons and during that time, they have only suffered one defeat, in 30 league games

Bedfont Sunday
- Another former finalist (Bedfont lost to Seymour back in 1993)
- Members of the West Middlesex League, Premier Division, their league form has not matched their Sunday Cup performances, as they have lost 5 of their 9 league games
- Star players Include: Hanworth Villa’s Laurie Sheehan, whose brace saw off Wonford United in the 4th round and ex Brentford trainee, Ryan Lake

Comets SC
- Berkhamsted league outfit Comets are on a 16 game unbeaten run, which has seen them score an impressive 96 goals!
- Have relied on penalty shoot outs to progress past Hammer in round 1 and Clumber in round 4 (these are the only games that Comets have failed to win in ‘open’ play)
- Chris Marsh has 4 Sunday Cup goals to his name, including a hat trick against North West Neasden in the 2nd round

Club Lewsey
- Hail from the North Home Counties league, which is 2nd only to the Liverpool & District league in terms of the number of teams entered
- Will hope to avoid a repeat of their previous quarter final appearance, where they also travelled to Merseyside, only to lose 4-0 to Paddock
- Club Lewsey have hit the goal trail in this season’s competition, scoring 18 goals in 4 games (their 8-2 thrashing of Golden Lion was the biggest win in round 3)

Summary
Based on what I know, it’s hard for me to look beyond Oyster Martyrs and Paddock. I tipped Oyster to do well at the beginning of the season but wasn’t sure about Paddock, who despite reaching the semi finals three years ago, have exited the competition in the 2nd round in both seasons since.

Both Comets and Knighton Arms have impressive domestic records but I’m not sure they are genuine Sunday Cup contenders. Knighton have home advantage over Paddock, so I’ll be interested to see that result.

I’m hoping to watch Mariners v Northampton Duke of York. I hope that Merseyside hasn’t been affected by the several inches of snow that have fallen in West Yorkshire where I live!!