Sunday 21st December

Black Bull 1 v West Bowling 0
NLO 6 v Hammer 3

Campfield v Attenborough Cavaliers - final result to be confirmed. Attenborough were 2-0 up in the first half. I'll update the blog later when the final result is known.

Fourth Round Draw

Ties to be played on 18th January - 1.00pm kick off
Campfield or Attenborough Cavaliers v Pineapple
Hetton Lyons v Chapeltown Fforde Grene
Queens Park v Home & Bargain
Black Bull or West Bowling v Allerton
Priory Sports v NLO or Hammer
New Salamis v Barnes Albion
AC Sportsman or Lebeqs Tavern Courage v OJM
Crawley Green v The Windmill

The AC Sportsman v Lebeqs Tavern Courage game was abandoned in the 87th minute, with AC leading 3-1. I'm not sure if the result will stand or not.

Third Round Results

Humbledon Plains Farm 1 Home & Bargain 3
Sportsman 0 v Hetton Lyons 5
Alder 1 v Chapeltown Fforde Grene 3
Pineapple 5 v Newton Aycliffe 1
Kennelwood 2 v Queens Park 3
AC Sportsman 3 v Lebeqs Tavern Courage 1
Crawley Green 2 v Black Horse (Redditch) 1
New Salamis 5 v Thurmaston PWMC 1
Belstone 0 v Priory Sports 1
Barnes Abion 1 v Haunchwood Sports 0
Lambeth All Stars 1 v OJM 2
St Josephs (Luton) 1 v The Windmill 5

Postponed
Black Bull v West Bowling
Campfield v Attenborough Cavaliers
NLO V Hammer

Sunday 14th December

Following a recent bout of illness, I haven't been able to write a preview of today's third round games.

I'm off to watch Black Bull v West Bowling, which has been switched from Tetley's in Warrington to Play Football in Crosby.

I'll update the blog later today with the other results.

Sunday 30th November

Four of the five outstanding second round games were played today. Those results are as follows:

Belstone 3 v Comets Sports & Social 2
Priory Sports 4 v Falcons 3
Barnes Albion 5 v Ajax LA 0
The Windmill 2 v Wrightchoice CSA 0

Perhaps the weather was better down south, as the only game not played today was due to take place in the North East. LIV Supplies v Burradon & New Fordley will try again next Sunday. It will be Burradon's second attempt, after LIV twice failed to stage the game.

Second Round Review

Oyster Martyrs 2 v Humbledon Plains Farm 4
Holders Humbledon Plains Farm followed up last season’s Sunday Cup triumph with another impressive win over Oyster Martyrs. Whereas last season’s final was played at neutral Ewood Park, this time around, it was Oyster who had the home advantage and with a score to settle, I thought they would start as slight favourites.

However, Humbledon chalked up some great wins on the road last season and the thought of travelling down to Merseyside clearly held no fears for them.

Oyster struggled to contain Mark Davison last season, as the rangy striker bagged a hat-trick in the final. He was a thorn in their side in this game too, as Humbledon’s four goals were shared equally between Davison and Nath O’Neil.

With Oyster gone, all eyes are now on the North East pair of Humbledon and Davison’s former side, Hetton Lyons, as the two sides to avoid in this season’s competition.

Cleator Moor 1 v Hetton Lyons 3

Connor Winter and Robbie Bird were in the goals again, as four time champs Hetton Lyons made it 11 goals in two games. Between them, Winter and Bird have scored eight of those goals. Gavin Barton was also on target, as Hetton extended their unbeaten start to the season to 15 games.

The Sheaf 1 v New Salamis 5

Whilst it’s fairly clear who the best teams in the Northern half of the draw are, the Southern half appears to be a bit more open. One team staking a claim as a serious contender are New Salamis, from the London based Kopa league, who hit five goals away from home for the second game running.

The Salamis opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Dean Fenton. They also hit the bar twice before debutants The Sheaf from the Waltham league drew level on the half hour mark.

 The game changed ten minutes in to the second half, when The Sheaf’s keeper was sent off for pulling down Salamis Deniz Mehmet. Kyri Portou restored their lead from the penalty spot. It was déjà vu just ten minutes later, when the Salamis were awarded another penalty, which Kyri Portou again took and scored and The Sheaf were further reduced in numbers, when their substitute goal keeper was given his marching orders, leaving the home side with just nine men!

Dean Fenton made the most of the numerical advantage, as he scored two more goals to complete his hat-trick.
 
Lebeqs Tavern Courage 5 v Patricks 1
Two of the fancied sides in the Southern draw met at Bristol Manor Farm, where Sunday Cup perennials, Lebeqs Tavern entertained Patricks from the Bournemouth league, who reached last season’s quarter-final, under their previous name of Branksome Railway.

The name change didn’t bring Patricks much luck, however, as they were swept aside in the first half, when Brandon Barnes scored a hat-trick and Korahn Gale put the home team out of sight at 4-0 in front at the interval.

Gary Booth extended Lebeqs lead in the second half. Tom Williams’ goal was mere consolation for the visitors.

Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 4 v Sportsmans 6

Former champs Hartlepool Lion and Sportsmans of the North Yorkshire based Hambleton Combination league, served up a ten goal feast in their game. Hartlepool led twice in the first half but Scott McNichol and James Coatsworth hauled Sportsmans back in to the game.

Aaron Ramsbottom then put the Northallerton side ahead for the first time but two quick goals from the Lions restored their lead at 4-3 and with time running out, they appeared to have done enough to seal the win.

Another goal from Ramsbottom, with just five minutes remaining, forced extra time where late goals from James Coatsworth and Danny McLachlan finally clinched victory for Sportsmans.

Birstall Stamford 2 v West Bowling 2 AET (West Bowling won 4-3 on penalties)

Bradford Sunday Alliance side West Bowling had a longer than normal journey for their first outing in the Sunday Cup. Things didn’t get off to a good start, as their coach was delayed by one hour and they found themselves 1—0 down after only two minutes!

Birstall definitely had the better of the early exchanges and fully deserved their lead. A cracking strike from Damian Melvyn brought the Yorkshire men back in to the game. A well-taken goal put United 2-1 ahead with twenty minutes remaining but when Melvyn was brought down in the area, Andy Bailey stepped up to send the home keeper the wrong way from the spot, to restore parity for the second time.

With no further goals, the tie went to a penalty shoot-out and it was West Bowling goalkeeper Ian Carradice who was the hero, as a brilliant save from him, inspired his colleagues to score their next two penalties and clinch a dramatic win.

Nuthall 1 v Haunchwood Sports 1 AET (Haunchwood won 4-1 on penalties)

After a fairly even first half, Nuthall from the Nottinghamshire league took their lead against debutants Haunchwood from Nuneaton. A mix up between Haunchwood’s goalkeeper and centre half allowed a Nuthall forward to nip in and score a poachers goal.

The lead only lasted seven minutes, before Luke Shorthouse rifled home from inside the box and he has now scored in both rounds. Nuthall then squandered the chance to secure their passage in to the next round, when a penalty from Tyrone Burton was saved by Carl O’Neil in the Haunchwood goal.

Both sides had good chances to score in extra time but neither could take them. Nuthall’s keeper, Stuart Lewis, who was in inspired form and made two top class saves to keep the score level.

With no further goals, this tie was also settled from the penalty spot and Haunchwood are indebted to Reardon, Piggon, Shorthouse and Gaunt, who all successfully scored.

Northallerton Police 2 v Home and Bargain 4

Goals from Brodie Kearns and Carl Peers gave Home & Bargain of the Liverpool Business Houses league a 2-0 lead in their game against Hambleton Combination’s Northallerton Police.

The Police arrested the slide, with strikes from Sam Vernalls and Ben Darville. Vernalls 25 goals last season was enough to crown him as the league’s leading scorer.

A brace from super sub Ryan Whitcombe was enough to send the Liverpudlians through to the next round.

Thornton United 1 v Alder 2

A cracking goal from Alder's left back, who dribbled past three Thornton United defenders, gave them the lead in Bradford. Scousers Alder found it difficult to cope with the sustained pressure of the home side and the prolific Deroy White was on hand to finish a move which started in Thornton’s own half.

Tempers became frayed late in the game, with five players booked and a close game was eventually settled with just four minutes remaining, in favour of Alder, who just did enough to squeeze through.

Mayfair 1 v Chapeltown Fforde Grene 5

A thunderbolt from 38 year old ex pro, Lee Trundle, gave Mayfair an early lead against Fforde Grene from Leeds, who reached last season’s quarter-final.

Fforde Grene soon recovered and thanks to braces from Dominic Blair and Dempsey Smith, they went in to the interval with a 4-1 lead.

Only one goal was scored in the second half and it was from Eder Ruiz, who sealed an emphatic 5-1 win, which maintained Fforde Grene’s impressive record of victories on Merseyside. They will need to do it all again, as they travel to Alder in Round 3.

Lee Trundle wasn’t the only name on show in this game, as one of Steven Gerrard’s cousins was playing for Alder and the match referee was none other than the brother Everton and England’s Leighton Baines.

Sunday 23 November

Only one of the scheduled six games was played today. Congratulations to Allerton, who beat The Old Bank 2-0. Allerton will now play the winners of LIV Supplies v Burradon & New Fordley, who will try again next week. As LIV have failed to host the game for the last two weeks, they should forfeit home advantage and travel up to the North East for the third attempt to play the game. The same applies to the remaining four teams who are in the same boat.

Today was The Old Bank's second Sunday Cup defeat of this season. They lost 3-2 in the first round against Fantail but were given a reprieve when Fantail were subsequently removed from the competition.

Third Round Draw

Ties to be played on 14th December - 1.00pm kick off

Humbledon Plains Farm v Home & Bargain
Sportsmans v Hetton Lyons
Alder v Chapeltown Fforde Grene
Allerton or The Old Bank v LIV Supplies or Burradon & New Fordley
Black Bull v West Bowling
Campfield v Attenborough Cavaliers
Kennelwood v Queens Park
Pineapple v Newton Aycliffe WMC
Lambeth All Stars v OJM
AC Sportsman v Lebeq Tavern Courage
Crawley Green v Black Horse (Redditch)
St Josephs (Luton) v Wrightchoice CSA or The Windmill
Ajax LA or Barnes Albion v Haunchwood Sports
New Salamis v Thurmaston PWMC
Comets Sports Club or Belstone v Falcons or Priory Sports
NLO v Hammer

Second Round Results

Many thanks to those of you who have confirmed results from this afternoon's games. A big thanks to John Treleven as well for his help in compiling the following results, which covers all 26 games played today:

Custys 3 v Black Bull 5
Thornton United 1 v Alder 2 AET
Cleator Moor 1 v Hetton Lyons 3
Mayfair 1 v Chapeltown Fforde Grene 5
Sunderland RCA Grangetown Florists 1 v Newton Aycliffe 6
Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 4 v Sportsmans 6                       
Oyster Martyrs 2 v Humbledon Plains Farm 4
Kennelwood 3 Stockton Hardwick 2
King George 2 v Pineapple 3                         
Northallerton Police 2 v Home & Bargain 4
Queen's Park 1 v Hessle Rangers 0
Windmill Kestrels 1v Campfield 1 - Campfield won 6-5 on penalties
Star & Garter 1 v Attenborough Cavaliers 5
Birstall Stamford 2 v West Bowling 2 - West Bowling won 5-4 on penalties
OJM 4 v Gedling Inn 0
Albion 1 v Black Horse (Redditch) 4
Thurmaston PWMC 4 FC Wyvern Arms 3 AET
Nuthall 1 v Haunchwood Sports 1 - Haunchwood won 4-1 on penalties                          
Broadfields United 1 v NLO 2
Queen's Head 1 v AC Sportsman 5
Crawley Green 2 v North Wembley 0
Hammer 4 v Brache Nation 1
Flamstead End 0 v St. Joseph's (Luton) 3
Lambeth All Stars 4 v Emmer Green 1
Lebeqs Tavern 5 v Patricks 1
The Sheaf 1 v New Salamis 5

Postponements
Allerton v Fantail
L.I.V. Supplies v Burradon & New Fordley
Comets Sports Club v Belstone
Falcons v Priory Sports
Wrightchoice CSA v The Windmill
Ajax LA v Barnes Albion

Second round preview

Apologies for just the two game preview. I normally aim to include at least half a dozen games but I just haven't had the time this week to write much more. I'll update the blog tomorrow with the results.

At least two games are scheduled for Sunday 23rd - LIV Supplies v Burradon & New Fordley and Wrightchoice CSA v The Windmill.

Oyster Martyrs v Humbledon Plains Farm
There’s only one place to start this preview and it’s with the tie of the round between last season’s finalists.

Oyster will be desperate to put one over on Humbledon, who deservedly beat them at Ewood Park. What struck me about Humbledon was the way they kept Leighton McGivern quiet. They clearly knew he was the danger man and barely allowed him to have a kick all day.

However, going to Liverpool to face Oyster is a daunting task for any side. Oyster have played in the Sunday Cup since 2007 and have only lost one home game in that time (a cracking game against Huddersfield Irish that I was luck to watch at Burscough).

It will not be easy and I’m sure that Humbledon will have wished for an easier start to the defence of their title! They came through a tough game at Seymour last season and it was this victory which gave them the belief to go all the way. I wish I was going to this game, it’s sure to be an absolute cracker.

Mayfair v Chapeltown Fforde Grene

Leeds based Fforde Grene have reached the latter stages twice – the 2009 semi-final and last season’s quarter final, where they took eventual winners Humbledon Plains Farm to extra time.

They have played plenty of teams from the Liverpool area, since they made their debut in 2007. They have a perfect Sunday Cup record on Merseyside, winning all four of their games over there and will fancy their chances against their hosts from the Liverpool Business Houses league.

Debutants Mayfair are unbeaten in their five league games and they won 2-0 away at Garston from the rival Liverpool & District league in the first round, so they will be no push over.

First Round Review

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. Here is a summary of some of the first round games. I've just started working on a preview of round two and I hope to update the blog by next weekend.

Hetton Lyons 8 v Seaton Carew 0
Four time champions Hetton Lyons signaled their intent with an eight goal thrashing of Hartlepool league side Seaton Carew. Connor Winter lead the way with four goals. A brace from Robbie Bird and goals from Jack Pounder and Lee Chapman completed the rout.

Bolton Woods 0 v King George 2

Sunday Cup veterans Bolton Woods of the Bradford Sunday Alliance took on debutants King George from Wakefield in a game that I attended at Thackley.

Both sides keeper’s pulled off a great save inside of the first ten minutes, to keep the game scoreless. King George just shaded the first half but they stepped up in the second half and took the lead on the 57^th minute, when a cross from the left was not cleared by the Woods defence and was rifled home by the King George striker.

A speculative chip in the 82^nd minute caught out Woods 6ft 5ins keeper and secured an away win for King George

 AFC Blackburn Leisure 1 v Windmill Kestrels 3

Goals from Dillon Evans and Matty Jones gave debutants Windmill Kestrels from the second tier of the Liverpool Business Houses league, a two goal lead just after the hour mark in their game against Hull side Blackburn Leisure.

The home side were soon back in the game, after Kieran Barmby was hauled down in the area. Lewis Andrews dispatched the resulting penalty to half the deficit.

Blackburn Leisure’s chances were further boosted on 78 minutes, then the Kestrels captain received his marching orders with a straight red card for a tackle on the opposing captain, Craig Cockin.

Despite late pressure from the home side, it was the ten men Kestrels who scored the final goal of the game, in the 92nd minute, when Warren Jevons secured the victory and passage in to round two.

Aylesbury Combination interest in the Sunday Cup ended in the first round, with home defeats for the leagues two representatives, AYFCS and Two Touch.

AYFCS 1 v Comets Sports Club 4

Comets Sports Club’s record in the Sunday Cup makes them stand out as one of the better teams in the Southern half of the draw. The Berkhamsted side did not enter last year but they reached at least the quarter final stage in 2011, 2012 and 2013. However, despite this fine reputation, they were struggling to raise a side and only had seven players available, two hours before kickoff!

Some frantic phone calling resulted in them turning up in Aylesbury with just 11 players. One sub managing to arrive just before the 2.00pm start. Despite their stressful start to the day, Comets were stunned to take the lead after only 19 seconds of play, when a mistake in the AYFCS defence allowed John Walker the opportunity to score, which he duly took. Two minutes later, it was 2-0 to Comets, when a long clearance from stand in keeper Dan Hartley cleared AYFCS central defenders and the nippy John Walker was again on hand to put the ball in the net.

AYFCS reached the last 16 last season and were fancied to do well again this time. They reduced the arrears later in the first half, to trail 2-1 at half time.

The home side were reduced to ten men early in the second half and Alex McCarthy headed home to restore Comets two goal advantage. Man of the match Chris Marsh put the result beyond doubt, when he scored Comets fourth goal, a few minutes from the end.

Two Touch 1 Brache Nation 2
This was a close game between two evenly matched teams. Brache Nation, from the North Home Counties league, opened the scoring from a 30 yard free kick on 15 minutes.

Two Touch had several chances to level the score. They had a penalty saved and they rattled the bar and hit the post, before finally scoring just before half time.

The winning goal came in the 54th minute, when a tap in gave Brache a 2-1 lead. Brache managed to hang on to this lead, despite a lot of pressure from the home side.

The Old Bank 2 v Fantail 3

This all Liverpool Business Houses league clash was a game of two halves. Fantail play in the league’s second tier, which is known as the Championship Division. They are currently top of the table and boast a 100% record from the five league games.

The Old Bank occupy mid table in the Premier Division and would not doubt be wary of the threat that Fantail carried. The game was evenly contested until fantail scored the opening goal through Carl Daulby.

They doubled their lead through a Brad Smart penalty. Buoyed by their two goal cushion, Fantail were in full control for the rest of the first half.

Old Bank came out of the blocks hard early in the second half, as the wrestled the momentum back from Fantail. The home side were awarded a penalty within a few minutes of the restart, which they successfully converted.

Parity was restored, when Old Bank scored their second goal. Both teams had the chances to add to the score sheet and with just two minutes remaining, it appeared that extra time would be required. However, Fantail captain Kevin Pollard had other ideas and he let rip from 25 yards, with a screamer of a shot, which settled the tie in favour of the underdogs Fantail.

Thornton United 3 v Dengo United 2

Thornton United of the Bradford Sunday Alliance were another side who overcame having several key players unavailable (including captain Jerome White) in their game against Liverpool & District leaguers Dengo United.  

After an even but feisty opening 20 minutes, Thornton were penalised for an aggressive challenge and Dengo converted the penalty to take a one goal lead. Thornton replied five minutes before the interval, when a free kick fell to Nath Woodward, whose cool finish drew his side level.

Poor marking from a corner saw Thornton concede a second goal, ten minutes in to the second half. This prompted manager James Marsh to introduce Thackley striker Deroy White, who made an instant impact, when he scored a header from an Andy Tasker cross.

With extra time looming, Dengo’s tricky winger skipped past three Thornton defenders before being taken down to earn his side another penalty. Unfortunately for Dengo, their last minute spot kick was wide and the game went in to extra time, with the sides locked at 2-2.

As both teams had made three substitutions during the ninety minutes, neither of them were able to change things during extra time and both teams cancelled each other out. In the final minute, Thornton keeper Tom Metcalfe launched a long kick in to the Dengo half, which super sub Deroy White ran on to and he scored the winning goal from a tight angle.

Campfield 3 v Poulton Royal 2

Poulton Royal from the Wallasey & District league made the short journey to Litherland Sports Park, where they faced a stiff challenge in the form of reigning Liverpool Business Houses champions Campfield. The Royal defended well for the majority of the game but just fell short of taking the game to extra time, when a shot on goal was only just wide of the target. Jay Thompson and a penalty from Tommy Carroll were on target for the Royal.

Home & Bargain 3 v Millhouse 2

The same two leagues (Liverpool Business Houses v Wallasey) contested this game, which had the exact same outcome, with Home & Bargain just edging through to the next round.

Millhouse scored in the first minute. Home & Bargain equalised from a penalty ten minutes before half time. Millhouse regained the lead early in the second half, which they held until the 85 minute, when two late Home & Bargain goals turned the game in their favour. Millhouse’s goals came courtesy of Perrie Black and Jamie Quinn.

Sunderland RCA Grangetown Florists 2 v North Ormesby 1

RCA edged past debutants North Ormesby from the Teesborough league by the odd goal in three. Lewis Hutchinson opened the scoring for RCA, before Jackson levelled for Ormesby.

Sub Bryan Norton was the RCA hero, as came off the bench to fire home the winner.

Quorn Royals 2008 1 v Gedling Inn 2

Gedling Inn of the Nottinghamshire league won a fiery encounter, as they beat nine man Quorn Royals 2008 of the Charnwood league.

Luke Attenborough opened the scoring for Gedling in the first half. The hosts were reduced to ten men not long after the restart and Gedling took full advantage of the extra man, as Felix Hogg doubled their lead. Quorn pulled one back in the 80^th minute, to make it an uncomfortable last ten minutes for Gedling, but they could not find an equaliser and suffered a second dismissal in the final minute of play.

Nirankari 0 v New Salamis 5

New Salamis campaign got off to a great start, as they thrashed Stevenage side Nirankari 5-0, which is a repeat of the score from their previous encounter in the second round in 2011.

Salamis, of the London based KOPA league, secured their passage in to the last 64, with braces from Steve Velandia, Charlie Georgiou and a Denis Mehmet goal.

Punchbowl Old Boys 1 v Birstall Stamford 5

Birstall Stamford have reached the semi-finals on three occasions but the chances of that happening again this season looked bleak, when they had their goal keeper sent off after just ten minutes in their game against Punchbowl from Birmingham. To make matters worse, they conceded a goal from the free kick that was awarded following the dismissal.

Despite the numerical handicap, Birstall managed to turn the game around, as their ten men scored five unanswered goals to earn a second round home tie against West Bowling from Bradford.

Queens Park 2 Kirkdale 2 – Queens Park won 4-2 on penalties

Queens Park, the sole representatives from the Birkenhead league, needed the lottery of the penalty shoot-out to settle their game against Kirkdale of the Liverpool Sunday league.

Chrissie Barrow and Liam Atherton scored the vital goals for Queens, to take the game go to spot-kicks.

Outstanding first round result

Bar Sol Ona 0 Lebeqs Tavern Courage 3

Lebeqs are now at home to Patricks, who reached last season's quarter-final under their previous name of Branksome Railway.

Second Round Draw

Ties to be played on 16th November - 1.00pm kick off

Custys v Black Bull
Thornton United v Alder
Cleator Moor v Hetton Lyons CC
Mayfair v Chapeltown Fforde Grene
Sunderland RCA Grangetown Florists v Newton Aycliffe WMC
Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter v Sportsmans
Oyster Martyrs v Humbledon Plains Farm - a repeat of last season's final!
Allerton v Fantail
Kennelwood v Stockton Hardwick Social
King George v Pineapple
Northallerton Police v Home & Bargain
LIV Supplies v Burradon & New Fordley
Windmill Kestrels v Campfield
Queens Park v Hessle Rangers
Start & Garter v Attenborough Cavaliers
Birstall Stamford v West Bowling
OJM v Gedling Inn
Albion v Black Horse (Redditch)
Thurmaston PWMC v Wyvern Arms
Nuthall v Haunchwood Sports
Broadfields United v NLO
Queens Head Chesham v AC Sportsman
Crawley Green v North Wembley
Comets Sports Club v Belstone
Hammer v Brache Nation
The Sheaf v New Salamis
Flamstead End v St Josephs (Luton)
Falcons v Priory Sports
Wrightchoice CSA v The Windmill
Lambeth All Stars v Emmer Green
Ajax LA v Barnes Albion
Bar Sol Ona or Lebeqs Tavern v Patricks

1st Round Results

Cleator Moor 2 v Winlaton Commercial 0
Hetton Lyons 8 v Seaton Carew 0
Sunderland Myers 0 v Burradon & New Fordley 3
Witton Park Rose & Crown 0 v Stockton Hardwick Social 1
Sportsmans 2 v Blackhall Hardwick 1
RCA Grangetown Florists 2 v North Ormesby 1
The Old Bank 2 v Fantail 3
Bolton Woods 0 v King George 2
AFC Blackburn Leisure 1 v Windmill Kestrels 3
Home & Bargain 3 v Millhouse 2
Chapeltown Fforde Grene 2 v Lobster 1
Campfield 3 v Poulton Royal 2
Allerton 3 v Thornhill Lees 1
Pineapple 3 v Canada 0
Black Bull 5 v St John Fisher OB 4
Thornton United 3 v Dengo United 2
HT Sports 3 v LIV Supplies 5
Hessle Rangers 3 v BRNESC 0
The Molly 0 v Alder 2
Quorn Royals 2008 1 v Gedling Inn 2
Albion 2 v Hundred Acre 2 - Albion win 4-2 on penalties
Attenborough Cavaliers 6 v AFC Bush 1
Punchbowl Old Boys 1 v Birstall Stamford 5
Sporting Dynamo 2 v OJM 4
Halfway 1 v Thurmaston PWMC 2
Haunchwood Sports 2 v RHP Sports & Social 1
Green Man 1 v Hammer 2
Nirankari 0 v New Salamis 5
AFC Kumazi Strikers 0 v Barnes Albion 1
Flamstead End 2 v Upshire 1
St Josephs (Luton) 3 v Club Lewsey 0
Two Touch 1 v Brache Nation 2
Avon Plate 0 v The Windmill 6

A big thank you to all of those who have sent emails and text messages with results and information from the various games played this afternoon.

First Round Preview

I was hoping to write a longer preview which would have included more games but sadly, I've run out of time, so here is a small preview of a few of today's games.

Cleator Moor v Winlaton Commercial
The first tie out of the hat pits the sole Cumbrian entrant, Cleator Moor, against Winlaton Commercial of the Tyneside league. This reminds me of another first round game from 34 years ago, when Winlaton West End made the same cross country journey and recorded a 14-0 win at Kendal Bowman! A record score that still stands today. Let’s hope for Cleator Moor (and for the competition in general) that we don’t see a repeat of that score line!

This will be Cleator Moor’s third appearance in the Sunday Cup in six seasons and they have yet to win a game. Sadly, teams from the North West don’t tend to stay long in in the competition and Winlaton reached the third round last season, so I can only see an away win here.

Bolton Woods v King George

Bradford Sunday Alliance side Bolton Woods have been competing in the Sunday Cup since 1991, which makes them one of the most experienced campaigners, as they have only been absent for two seasons in twenty three years. Their best achievement was reaching the quarter final back in 1998, when I watched them lose to Olympic Star, who went on to beat legends St Josephs (Luton) on penalties in the final.

Their opponents, King George from Wakefield, are making their debut in the competition. They certainly warrant their place in the Sunday Cup and have performed well at domestic level (league champions for the last two seasons) and last season, they pushed 2013 Sunday Cup semi-finalists, HT Sports, to extra time in the semi-finals of the West Riding County Sunday Cup.

I’ll be watching this game and I expect a close fought encounter.

Sporting Dynamo v OJM

Hinckley & District leaguers Sporting Dynamo make a return to the Sunday Cup after a four season break. They’ll be hoping for better fortunes this time around, as they didn’t win a game in their previous three appearances and twice lost in the preliminary round, including a 13-0 loss to eventual champions Scots Grey in 2009.

Sporting didn’t lose a league game last season but five draws from their fourteen games saw them draw level with fellow Sunday Cup entrants Albion, who pipped them to the title on goal difference.

OJM are making their debut. They hail from the West Midlands based Warley & District league, the same as Sporting Khalsa, who reached the third and fourth rounds of the Sunday Cup in the last two seasons.

Attenborough Cavaliers v AFC Bush

Two debutants meet in this East v West Midlands clash. The Cavaliers play in the Long Eaton Sunday League. Their opponents play in the Lichfield & Walsall league and according to the FA, they are affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance, as opposed to a County FA, which is a first as far as I’m aware, for the Sunday Cup. AFC Bush are the first entrant from a Lichfield league since Greyhound 83 made their debut twenty years ago.

AYFCS v Comets Sports Club

Aylesbury based AYFCS made it to the fourth round when making their debut, last season, where they pushed eventual semi-finalists Plough Wellington all the way to extra time. They have a tough opponent in Comets Sports, who are back in the competition after a one season break. Comets were semi-finalists in 2011 and quarter-finalists in 2012 and 2013, so this should be a cracking game.

Four ties have been scratched, due to the withdrawal of Bilsthorpe Celtic, Wymeswold, Phoenix and St Helier.

First Round

110 clubs have been accepted in to this season’s Sunday Cup. As that is not enough for a preliminary round, the competition will begin with the first round on 19^th October.

Of the 115 teams who took part last season, 45 have decided not to re-enter. There are some big names among them, including; two time champions Nicosia, Seymour and Bedfont, who contested the 1993 final, 2011 runners up Paddock and Plough FC Wellington, who pushed Oyster Martyrs to extra time in last season’s semi-final.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, as 39 sides who did not play last season, have entered this time. Several have played in the Sunday Cup before, the most notable being Comets Sports Club, who reached the semi-finals in 2011 and the quarter final in 2012 and 2013. It’s good to see them back in.

Several teams have changed their name, including Branksome Railway, who reached last season’s quarter final. They are now known as Patricks. The Molly were previously known as The Warden.

Once again, Liverpool County FA (20 teams) and the Liverpool & District league (11 teams) lead the way with the highest number of entrants. All three Cheshire side hail from the Wirral, so 23 of the 110 teams are from ‘Merseyside’. The Liverpool Business Houses league and North Home Counties league are just behind, with 9 entrants each.

Durham are the next best represented County FA with 11 teams. No surprise that interest is high up there, given that six of the last nine champions were from Durham.

I tend to stay fairly local in the first round and the game that has caught my eye is an all West Yorkshire affair between Bolton Woods (Bradford) and King George (Wakefield). It’s been a while since I’ve seen Bolton Woods and King George are making their debut. Besides them, the only Wakefield team to have competed in the Sunday Cup in my 30 years of watching it, were Redoubt, who played one game back in 2005, so King George are a bit of a collector’s item!

A first round preview will appear next month.

First Round Draw

To be played on 19th October - 2.00pm kick off

Cleator Moor v Winlaton Commercial

Hetton Lyons v Seaton Carew

Sunderland Myers v Burradon & New Fordley

Witton Park Rose and Crown v Stockton Hardwick Social

Sportsmans v Blackhall Hardwick

Sunderland RCA Grangetown Florists v North Ormesby

The Old Bank v Fantail

Bolton Woods v King George

Home & Bargan v Millhouse

Chapeltown Fforde Grene v Lobster

Campfield v Poulton Royal

Allerton v Thornhill Lees

AFC Blackburn Leisure v Windmill Kestrels

Pineapple v Canada

Black Bull v St John Fisher OB

Thornton United v Dengo United

Queens Park v Kirkdale

HT Sports v LIV Supplies

Hessle Rangers v BRNESC

The Molly v Alder

Garston v Mayfair

Attenborough Cavaliers v AFC Bush

Bilsthorpe Celtic v FC Wyvern Arms

Sporting Dynamo v OJM

Quorn Royals 2008 v Gedling Inn

Wymeswold v Nuthall

Punchbowl Old Boys v Birstall Stamford

Albion AFC v Hundred Acre

Haunchwood Sports v RHP Sports & Social

Halfway v Thurmaston PWMC

Phoenix v Priory Sports

Flamstead End v Upshire

Nirankari v New Salamis

AYFCS v Comets Sports Club

Willesden WMC v NLO

Green Man v Hammer

St Josephs (Luton) v Club Lewsey

Celtic SC (Luton) v Broadfields United

Two Touch v Brache Nation

North Wembley v FC Houghton Centre

Belstone v 61

Ajax LA v Polonia Reading

St Helier v Wrightchoice CSA

AFC Kumazi Strikers v Barnes Albion

Bar Sol Ona v Lebeqs Tavern Courage

Avon Plate v The Windmill

 

16 clubs with byes to the second round

AC Sportsman
Black Horse (Redditch)
Crawley Green
Custys
Emmer Green
Falcons
Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter
Kennelwood
Lambeth All Stars
Newton Aycliffe WMC
Northallerton Police
Patricks
Queens Head Chesham
Star & Garter
The Sheaf
West Bowling

Two clubs exempt to the second round

Humbledon Plains Farm
Oyster Martyrs

2014/15 Round Dates

First Round - 19th October
Second Round - 16th November
Third Round - 14th December
Fourth Round - 18th January 2015
Fifth Round - 15th February
Semi-Final - 15th March
Final - 26th April (provisional)

Details of the entries accepted and the draw for the First Round will be released on the FA's website on Friday 5th September.

Lets hope that the number of entrants has increased by enough teams for a Preliminary Round, which would normally take place on the third/fourth week of September.

Sunday Cup final

A big well done to Humbledon Plains Farm, as they lifted the Sunday Cup for the second time, when they beat Oyster Martyrs today at Blackburn Rovers by 5-2.

Final at Blackburn Rovers

Oyster Martyrs v Humbledon Plains Farm to be played at Ewood Park on 27th April - 2.00pm kick off.

Sunday 16th March

Semi-final results:

Humbledon Plains Farm 4 Hundred Acre 2 AET

Oyster Martyrs 3 Plough FC Wellington 2 AET

I was up at Hartlepool for the Humbledon Plains and Hundred Acre game. Humbledon were in control at 2-0 up with ten minutes to go, when two goals in three minutes (the second an astonishing effort from the half way line!) sent the tie in to extra time. A goal in each half of extra time sent Humbledon in to their third final, where they will face Oyster Martyrs, who also needed extra time in their game to secure their fourth final appearance in six years.

Sunday 2nd March

Outstanding quarter final result:
Branksome Railway 0 Plough Wellington 5

The FA Sunday Cup is now up to date! Congratulations to Plough Wellington, who will travel to Marine in a fortnight to face holders Oyster Martyrs in the semi final.

Semi Final venue

Oyster Martyrs v Branksome Railway/Plough Wellington will be played at Marine.

Humbledon Plains Farm v Hundred Acre will be played at Hartlepool United.

Games to be played on 16th March.

Sunday 23rd Feb

At the sixth time of asking, AYFCS and Plough Wellington have finally managed to play their outstanding 4th round game. Plough Wellington winning 4-2 after extra time.

Plough will now travel to Wimborne Town next Sunday where they will play Branksome Railway for a place in the semi final.

The winners of that game will travel North to play Oyster Martyrs, who beat Allerton 2-1 in their quarter final game today.

Semi Final draw

Games to be played on 16th March - 2.00pm kick off:

Humbledon Plains Farm v Hundred Acre

Allerton or Oyster Martyrs v AYFCS/Plough Wellington or Branksome Railway

Venues to be announced later. As the FA like to play Sunday Cup semi finals at Marine, I think its a safe bet that is where the Allerton/Oyster v whoever will be played.

I'm not sure which ground the FA will choose for the other semi final. The last one played up there was two years ago, when Hetton Lyons beat Oyster at Billingham Synthonia. Prior to that, Durham City and Hartlepool United have been used.

This is the third semi final for Humbledon Plains Farm. They played their first at Spennymoor in 1988, when they beat Avenue from Birkenhead. Three finals were played at Spennymoor in the 1970s, so the ground has a special relationship with the Sunday cup, so it could be played there.

Sunday 16th Feb

4th Round
Allerton 5 Whitwick Compass 1
AYFCS v Plough Wellington - Postponed

5th Round
Chapeltown Fforde Grene 3 Humbledon Plains Farm 6 AET (2-2 after 90 mins)
Upshire 3 Hundred Acre 3 - Hundred Acre won 3-1 on penalties

Sunday 9th Feb

Once again, the appalling weather we are currently experiencing has put pay to the two outstanding 4th round ties, so the teams involved will try again (for the fifth consecutive week) next Sunday, to see who will progress to the quarter final.

After two failed attempts at home and two away, the games will revert to the two sides (AYFCS and Allerton) who were drawn at home.

AYFCS will be hoping to play their game at Aylesbury FC. Although as you can see below, that game is in doubt already!



I'm indebted to the Aylesbury Combination league website (http://www.footballaylesbury.co.uk/) for this photo.

Sunday 2nd February results

Upshire 5 Lebeqs Tavern Courage 2
Oyster Martyrs 4 Witton Park Rose & Crown 0

As confirmed yesterday, AYFCS v Plough FC Wellington and Witton Park Rose & Crown v Oyster Martyrs were both postponed.

Sunday 2nd Feb

Given the awful weather we are currently experiencing, it is unsurprising to learn that some of the outstanding fourth round ties have already fallen foul of the weather.

Both Plough Wellington v AYFCS and Whitwick Compass v Allerton will not be played tomorrow.

Upshire v Lebeqs Tavern Courage are hopeful of playing at Cheshunt. No word as yet on the Oyster Martyrs v Witton Park Rose & Crown game.

5th round draw

Ties to be played on 16th February (2.00pm KO)

1) Chapeltown Fforde Grene v Humbledon Plains Farm

2) Allerton or Whitwick Compass v Witton Park Rose & Crown or Oyster Martyrs

3) Branksome Railway v AYFCS or Plough Wellington

4) Lebeqs Tavern Courage or Upshire v Hundred Acre

Sunday 26th January

Unsurprisingly, all outstanding fourth round ties were postponed today. As that is the second time the side drawn at home has been unable to host the game, they will now forfeit home advantage and travel away next Sunday.

Sunday 19th Jan - 4th round results

Thornhill Lees 2 Chapeltown Fforde Grene 3 AET
Humbledon Plains Farm 6 Mariners 0
Hundred Acre 2 FC Houghton Centre 0
New Salamis 1 Branksome Railway 2 AET

Sunday 19th January

Games off
Witton Park Rose & Crown v Oyster Martyrs
Allerton v Whitwick Compass
AYFCS v Plough Wellington
 
Lebeqs Tavern Courage v Upshire to be played next Sunday
 
Game on
Thornhill Lees v Chapeltown Fforde Grene (as confirmed by the Thornhill secretary)

3rd Round Review

There is only one place to start a review of the third round results;

Allerton 1 Hetton Lyons CC 0

Allerton gained revenge for last season’s fourth round defeat to Sunday Cup legends Hetton Lyons, as they produced a shock result in Liverpool.

This is Hetton Lyons twelfth season in the Sunday Cup and despite lifting the cup three times at Anfield, five of their eight defeats have come on Merseyside, so Hetton know that they have to be at their very best if they are to win in Liverpool.

Hetton dominated the game in terms of possession but had little in terms of a cutting edge up front.  They rarely troubled the Allerton keeper, who was only called in to action on just a couple of occasions. One of those was a free kick that he spilled in the first half with the Hetton forwards guilty of not following up, much to the annoyance of their manager.

The winning goal was scored in the 77^th minute, when on a rare Allerton attack, a cross from the right was guided home with a neat glancing header by Connor McCarthy.

Many thanks to Andy Gilman for this report.

Upshire 1 Barnes Albion 0

Revenge was also sweet for Upshire, as they halted last season’s runners up Barnes Albion challenge, in what was a repeat of last season’s semi-final.

Upshire got off to a dream start when Mark Daveney played in Jason Hallett, who finished with aplomb with only 30 seconds on the clock!

Upshire missed several half chances to extend their lead before the interval, but then had to defend strongly as Albion piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, which looked likely until Jason Hallett broke free only to be pulled back by a defender.

The referee deemed this to be worthy of a red card and reduced Barnes to ten men. Their task became even harder when another Barnes player was dismissed for a second yellow. Upshire squandered a number of opportunities to put the result beyond doubt but they held on for victory.

HT Sports 1 Oyster Martyrs 2

It was a great day for the holders, as they secured safe passage in to the last 16, whilst two of their big rivals (Hetton Lyons and Barnes Albion) both crashed out.

HT reached the semi-final in their debut season, where they lost to Oyster at Guiseley, so they knew what to expect. HT would have fancied their chances, especially when they found out that Oyster’s talismanic striker Leighton McGivern was not playing.

There was nothing to choose between the sides, until the 40^th minute when Oyster drew first blood through Franny Smith. HT were level ten minutes in to the second half, when Mick Mills scored and they did their best to press for another goal. Oyster scored again in the 85^th minute when defender Tony Rendell capped a fine game with the winning goal. A mammoth nine minutes of stoppage time added to the drama of the late goal but Oyster held firm and proved that they are still a force to be reckoned with, even without their best player.

Thornhill Lees 6 Hartlepool Athletic Rovers 0

Dewsbury based Thornhill Lees are enjoying life back in the Sunday Cup after a three season absence, as they scored six times for the third game running!

Lees have been a big name in West Yorkshire Sunday football for the best part of 30 years. Twice winners of the West Riding County Sunday Cup, they have won numerous trophies in the Heavy Woollen Gate league and they first entered the Sunday Cup in 2008. They reached the third round after they battled through two close away ties and were rewarded with a home game against holders Hetton Lyons. Two postponements due to bad weather lead to a daunting trip to Spennymoor, where Lees were dismantled 8-1.

They have surpassed their previous best and their expectations this season, with three very impressive wins. I was at their first round game, when they turned around a 2-0 deficit in to a 6-2 victory against 2011 finalists Paddock.

This was followed up with another great 6-2 win over The Warden, another Liverpool based opponent.

Hartlepool Athletic Rovers also scored six in their second round game, when they beat Bolton Woods from Bradford.

There was no sign of any goal fest in the first half, as it was scoreless until the 39^th minute, when Lee Bennett opened the scoring for Lees. A Joel Clegg penalty made it 2-0 and Aidan Schofield put Lees well in control when he made it 3-0 on the hour mark.

A brace from James Wilson and a second from Clegg doubled the score-line and made it 18 goals in three games and set up another home clash, this time against Leeds based Chapeltown Fforde Grene, who ended the interest of Bradford’s Buttershaw White Star, courtesy of goals from Dempsey Smith and Craig Maynard.

Star & Garter 1 Hundred Acre 1 (Hundred Acre won 4-2 on penalties)

Debutants Star & Garter of the Leicester Alliance made a bright start in their game against Birmingham Festival outfit Hundred Acre, as they took an early lead. Richard Gregory went close for Acre and Cameron Stuart shot over when he should have scored, as Star clung on to their lead.

Stuart did get Acre level with a tap-in following some good work from Gregory. Both sides had their chances to score the winner, in what was a great advert for the competition.

Star hit the bar and Gregory missed a chance to send Acre into the next round when through on goal.

An additional 30 minutes of extra time was unable to separate the two sides and it was Acre keeper John Green who proved to be the shoot-out hero, saving a crucial penalty to put his side through.

Jamie Nugent, Stuart, David Franklin and Gregory were Acre's successful penalty takers.

Branksome Railway 4 AFC Kumazi Strikers 2

Another entertaining game saw Branksome Railway become the first Bournemouth Sunday league side to reach the last 16 since Bournemouth Electric in 2006 as they beat London based AFC Kumazi Strikers from the Metropolitan Sunday League.

Sean Gallagher was the man for Railway, as he scored all four of their goals! The first was scored inside ten minutes, when he pounced after the Kumazi keeper dropped a through ball. Gallagher’s second was a penalty on 20 minutes.

The visitors, who represent London's Ghanaian community, pulled a goal back with a shot from Gerald Akosa before Gallagher completed his hat-trick. It was 3-2 at half-time, as a Kofi Appiah thunderbolt from 30 yards out went in via a deflection.

Early in the second half, Gallagher scored his fourth goal and his reward was to be substituted straight after! Fortunately for the home side, the two goal cushion was enough. They should have increased their lead when awarded a penalty but without their star man on the field to take it the spot kick was saved.

Many thanks to Michael Wells for this match report