Up for the cup
Cuppers Football
St Anne's 1st XI 2
St Peter's 1st XI 1
WEEK SAW a strong St. Anne's made their home advantage count to overcome a battling St. Peter's side 2-1 writes Rob Davey. All the goals came in a frantic 10-minute first half spell beginning on the half-hour mark. St Anne's went two-nil ahead, only for Peter's to grab a life-line to set up a second-half which was more intriguing than enthralling.
In a end-to-end first 20 minutes, played at a frenetic pace, both sides struggled to find inspiration in the final third. Anne's gradually began to get a grip on the game in midfield, and as the hosts' advantage soon told, Dan Scroop's measured cross from the right was met by the head of Giles Hannah and St. Anne's were one up.
Soon the home side were two ahead. Murphy crossing from the right-wing for John Ingram to power home from close-range. It was no more than the home side deserved, but Peter's forced their way back into the game almost immediately. A long ball over the top caught the Anne's defence napping, and Pierce nipped in to loft the ball nonchalantly over the advancing Alker from the edge of the area.
Anne's began the second half brightly, forcing a series of corners and threatening to restore their two-goal cushion, with man of the match Scroop, firing a 30-yard free-kick just over the bar. However the hosts failed to make their superiority count, and Peter's, who were never lacking in fighting spirit, suddenly seemed to realise they were still in with a chance and pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Dogged defending saw Anne's weather the storm, though, and they almost produced a final flourish of their own when substitute Reed combined well with Hannah only to see his shot blocked by Clarke.
It was an impressive display by the home side and they were worthy winners, playing more as a unit than Peter's, whilst plugging the gaps in defence that were so costly during the recent drubbing at the hands of Somerville. Captain K.J. Bull was delighted and clearly believes this could be his side's year for cup glory. "I really think we've got what it takes to go all the way," he enthused. And on this evidence, he might just be right.
Cuppers Football
Pembroke 1st XI 2
Hertford 1st XI 3
Entering the match on the back of a 100 percent record, Hertford had reason to feel confident. Yet with two regular players injured they were nearly surprised by Pembroke in a game which demonstrated that League form counts for nothing in the Cup.
It was Hertford who opened the scoring when Pembroke's defence was unlocked after 15 minutes. Then, Hertford lost their star striker Caskell to a horrific injury which sent him to hospital with a broken cheekbone. However, his replacement Mekik then made an immediate impact, converting Ral's cross after 35 minutes.
Pembroke began brightly after the interval, but Hertford appeared to have wrapped things up when Rickard latched onto McAteer's delectable through ball.
But Pembroke began applying constant pressure and their breakthrough came when Gorman converted a penalty. Minutes later, Casey arose unmarked in the box to power home a Scapaticci corner. Only 10 minutes of frantic defending, a Randman goal line clearance and a great Save by Allen prevented the St. Aldate's men from snatching a deserved draw.
28th Oct 1999