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.