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.