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.