3rd round review

With six of the eight outstanding 3rd round ties being played on Merseyside, the focus this weekend was clearly on an area that has, over the years, become synonymous with the Sunday Cup.

No prizes for guessing which side made the headlines this week, it was, of course, Paddock who came from 2-0 down to beat current holders and Sunday Cup legends, Hetton Lyons 3-2.

This was the second time that Paddock had faced Hetton, the first was a semi final three years ago, when Hetton emerged victorious by 2-0. According to Paddock’s manager, Billy Owens, his side were unable to recover from Hetton’s second goal, which was scored just before half time.

However, this time around it was Paddock who were able to score a crucial goal shortly before the interval and they retained the momentum in the second half to secure a memorable comeback.

Despite winning the Sunday Cup 3 times, Hetton have never managed to retain it and if an existing trend continues, then Paddock will go on to win this season’s competition, as the two sides to defeat Hetton as reigning holders (Coundon Conservatives and Scots Grey) went on to be crowned champions themselves.

I’d normally write a small match report on this game but as we all know, actions speak louder than words, so move aside Match of the Day, its time to watch some proper football for a change!!

Many thanks go to our friends at Salisbury Athletic, who have posted 12 minutes of highlights on Youtube (see link below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARxYkEK84oU

Eden Vale 2 Queens Park 3
There was late drama in an all Merseyside affair at Bootle, when Birkenhead side Queens Park were awarded a penalty in the final minute of normal time!

Trailing 2-1 to Ormskirk & District outfit Eden Vale, Park were indebted to the cool head of Lee Gibson, who slotted the spot kick home and sent the game in to extra time.

Gibson repeated his feat five minutes later, when his second successful penalty was enough to earn them a home tie against Paddock.

Wonford United 3 v Bluebird United 1
The pride of Devon Sunday football was at stake at Tiverton (a mere two hundred and forty miles south of Merseyside) where Exeter & District leaguers Wonford entertained the Plymouth & West Devon Combination’s Bluebird.

The visitors took the early initiative when Levi Landricombe (Bluebird’s hat-trick hero from round 2) had a shot well saved after just four minutes.

However, it was Wonford who opened the scoring, when player-manager Ryan Harris scored from the penalty spot on 15 minutes.

Bluebird only just failed to restore parity early in the second half, when Landricombe's free-kick just went wide. Their task did not get any easier, when just two minutes later, they had Lee Rundle sent off.

Wonford doubled their lead just before the hour mark through Ben Murby and with the one man advantage; they now started to look the more comfortable side.

However, Bluebird were not out of it yet and reduced the arrears through a powerful strike from Landricombe.

The killer goal came in the last 10 minutes, when Jamie Mudge, a former Tiverton player, scored Wonford’s third goal.