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2006-2007 Season of the National Christian Cup
So off we go again, the 15th Season of the National Christian Cup , with new Sponsors, Verite Creative Media. This season, 71 teams entered, which is the second ever record total, the record being 81 about 9 years ago! It looks like we will see numbers like that and more, in the years to come and that is one reason why we are discussing the possibility of introducing another level of Competition! There are 10 new teams entering for the first time ever and we warmly welcome them! The current NCC holders, Kings Sports FC, Herts have again entered, along with all but one of the teams that made it to last seasons 4th Round, the last 16 stage! There will be many teams very willing to oust the holders and it looks like being a very open Competition, with again, a good balance of the so-called strong teams in both halves of the draw.
National Section
In a physical but fair
game, Trinity FC, Liverpool, one of the new entries, won 1-0, scoring the only goal of the
game on 20 minutes at FC Cornerstone, Stevenage following a goalmouth scramble, after a
long throw. They then had to withstand plenty of pressure from Cornerstone, who battled
hard but could not break down the Trinity defence. They will now play a local derby with
Breckfield Crusaders, Liverpool, who raced to a 3-0 half-time lead, away at Renewal
Solihull FC, Birmingham.
Renewal fared better in the second half but a breakaway goal
sealed Breckfields 4-1 win, before a late consolation penalty for Solihull.
Extra time was
needed to separate Adeyfield Free Church, Hemel and Ossett Logos, Yorkshire. The Hemel
side started the better, as they got the ball down well, causing Logos some problems and
took the lead, forcing home a rebound from close range after the Logos keeper had tipped
the ball onto the bar. Logos rallied and equalised with a header from a corner before
winning 2-1, in extra time, when a deflected shot gave the home keeper no chance.
FC
Bootle, Liverpool, the 2004 NCC Winners, beat Kings AFC, Birmingham but the final score
does not tell the whole story, as at the hour mark, the teams were locked at 2-2. However,
once Bootle had edged ahead, it became one way traffic and they eventually ran out
comfortable winners 7-2.
It needed extra time to separate Club Caspian, Liverpool and
Loughborough Emmanuel after a goalless first 90 minutes. Three strikes in quick succession
saw Caspian through 3-1, despite a late consolation for Loughborough.
In a humdinger of a
game, Bridge Street United, Leeds finally overcame newcomers, Frontline Church FC,
Liverpool 4 -3, having taken an early lead, with Frontline soon drawing level. However,
United led 3-1 but Frontline again fought back to level and take the tie into extra time,
where Goodwin completed his hat-trick to take the Leeds side through.
Former winners in
1994,1996 & 1997 and also last seasons semi-finalists, Bolton Ambassadors, are again
looking strong following their 5-1 win at Cambridge Community Church. Cambridges cause was
hampered by injuries, including having to replace their keeper but Ambassadors had already
taken control of the game and ran out comfortable winners, although Cambridge did mange a
last minute consolation goal.
Grassendale, Liverpool went through despite a very close
game with Clarendon, Birmingham. Grassendale took the lead after 10 minutes and went
further ahead soon after, following a delicate chip over the keeper. However, Clarendon
came out all guns blazing in the second half, scoring early on to putting the game on a
knifes edge. Grassendale tried to make the game safe but found the Clarendon keeper in
excellent form, although eventually got through 2-1, in a very tense finish.
St Barts FC,
Liverpool had their keeper to thank for holding Doncaster Evangelical Church at bay in a
goalless first half. But Doncaster pounced on a defensive lapse and took a 2 goal lead and
then added a third late on but not before the goal of the game from Andy Kelly of St Barts
from all of 30 yards!! Final score 1-3 to the Yorkshire men.
Regional Section (North & Midlands)
In a very close, hard-fought match, Morley FC, Leeds took the lead at home to
Meols FC, Liverpool after 20 minutes. Meols responded just before half time with a
spectacular overhead kick and so it remained as the game went into extra-time. Meols
finally nabbed the winner, in the second period but were indebted to their keeper, for two
outstanding saves.
In a game of few chances, Mill Lane Churches, Liverpool, who reached
the NCC Final in 2004, scored twice to run out 2-0 winners against Arbourthorne Community
Church, Sheffield. It could have gone either way in a game played in a good spirit.
In
another close fought encounter, Mansfield AFC, in their first ever NCC game, took the lead
three times and despite twice being pegged back by FC Ecclesia, Sheffield held on to win.
Mansfield took the lead but Ecclesia drew level and, in what became a pivotal moment in
the match, the Mansfield keeper saved a penalty. Mansfield went on to outscore their
Yorkshire opponents by the odd goal, winning 3-2 and now will host Focus FC, Liverpool.
Focus FC, Liverpool just overcame Amblecote, Birmingham, in one of the games of the day! This was a
thrilling, topsy-turvy encounter, with the Midlands side twice taking the lead, only for
Focus to equalise on each occasion! The situations then became reversed, as Focus twice
got in front, only to be pegged back before finally prevailing 5-4, with the winner in the
last 5 minutes. Breathless!!
Derby City Church went to 2005 NCC Finalists, AC Mitchell,
Liverpool and won 3-0 but the score somewhat flattered Derby as Mitchell had much of the
possession. Derby played the counter-attacking game very well, scoring on the break to
lead at the interval. Mitchell tried hard and pushed on searching for an equaliser but
Derby added two more late on as Mitchell piled men forward. The FA assessor in attendance
very much enjoyed the game and remarked on the honesty shown by both sides. Praise the
Lord!!
Genesis, Loughborough, seemingly had a tough draw as they faced last years losing
Finalists, Leeds Uni CU but the students travelled with only 11 and a somewhat weakened
side. Genesis started strongly and dominated the game, scoring early on and goals came at
regular intervals as they won convincingly 8-1!
Two early strikes by St Johns Bowling
Eagles, Bradford effectively settled their tie at South Parade FC, Liverpool although if
Parade had taken any of the great chances that they had in the first half, who knows what
might have happened. As it was, Eagles scored 3 late goals to run out convincing 5-0
winners. A competitive game played in a friendly spirit, where both teams enjoying an
excellent after match reception!!
St Bridgits, Liverpool scored a scrappy early goal
against St Peters, Shipley but the hosts equalised with a goal of the highest quality.
After a close 1st half, St Bridgits turned the game on its head after the break, scoring 4
goals without reply. The game, played in good spirits, was far more competitive than the
result suggests and both teams enjoyed the after-match reception!!
Regional Section (South, West & Wales)
Oakhall FC, Surrey made the long journey to another NCC newcomer,
Woodville Baptist, Cardiff. However, it proved fruitless when they suffered a 0-6 reverse,
although they defended well in the opening 25 minutes until Woodville opened the scoring.
A second soon followed but it took the Cardiff side until the 75th minute to score a
third, a somewhat bizarre own goal and then the floodgates opened in the last 15 minutes.
Hayes Lane Baptist, Kent went a goal down at home to Ecclesia FC, East London, after both
teams had started brightly, when a flowing move ended with a clinical strike across the
keeper. In a game with chances at both ends, Hayes missed a penalty before equalising with
a wonder goal from the edge of the box, just before half-time. In a close 2nd half, Hayes
Lane nicked it with a late header to earn a trip to play holders Kings Sports, Herts.
In a
closely fought game, St Georges FC, Hemel took an early lead against Bluntisham Baptist
FC, Cambs and continued to pressurise the Bluntisham defence. The Cambridgeshire side came
out stronger in the second half but as the half wore on, changed their formation in an
attempt to get back in the game. However, this back-fired as St Georges were able to break
away to net twice late on, as well as missing a penalty, to progress 3-0!
Individual
performance of the day was from John De Lacy of United Chelmsford Churches who netted 5 of
his teams 6 goals without reply, in a comfortable win at New Life FC, Croydon. The Essex
team dominated possession in this good natured game but were only 1 up at the break.
However goals flowed thereafter as they ran out easy winners. They will now host St Albans
Romans.
St Albans Romans edged a close fought affair with Kings Sports Reserves, Herts, 2-1. After a
goalless first half, Romans headed in a corner at the far post but were reduced to 10 men
when a Kings player was fouled, denying a goalscoring opportunity. Kings netted the
resulting penalty but couldn't make the numerical advantage pay and despite intense
pressure, the 10 men broke with 5 minutes remaining to squeak through. This was a
fractious affair as Romans, in a completely unacceptable way, began to lose their heads
and had another player dismissed at the end.
Potter Street Baptist, Harlow beat River
Church Tribe, Berks, 5-2 to win their first ever NCC tie. Potter Street got off to the
quicker start and it was always going to be hard for Tribe to come back, having gone 2-0
down in the first 15 minutes. Trailing 5-0, Tribe rallied and earned some respectability
with 2 late goals of their own, in an enjoyable game played in the right spirit. In a
tough physical game, that could have gone either way,
River Church Rangers, Berks edged
out Westside FC, Wandsworth 2-1. Rangers took a first half lead after a superb strike and,
despite incessant pressure from Westside after the break, sneaked another goal. Westside
got a late goal but it was too little too late.
Orpington Town Church FC, Kent took the
lead, with a dipping free kick against Christchurch Roxeth, Middlesex, after an evenly
contested first 25 minutes. Christchurch equalised soon after with a shot into the roof of
the net from 8 yards and then took advantage of the wind and slope in the 2nd half, having
the majority of possession. They took the lead after an hour, a cross flying straight into
the top corner and then scored from a penalty. However, Orpington pressed hard in the last
10 minutes as the legs of the bare 11 from Harrow tired but could find no way past a well
marshalled defence, despite a free kick being tipped onto the inside of the post and
running along the goal line and out for a corner! Christchurch won a competitive game,
2-1, played in good spirit.
Holders Kings Sports, Herts faced a tough trip to Drummond
Rovers, SE London where an awkward pitch and determined opposition ensured that Kings had
to show resolve in order to go through. Kings took their chances well, going 3-0 up, the
tie being effectively wrapped up by half time. However, Drummond showed greater urgency in
the second period and they scored twice, although so did Kings, the game finishing 5-2 to
Kings.
Croxley Baptist, Watford finally overcame Christchurch Bromley 6-2 but not before
Bromley had twice equalised early Croxley goals in an end to end first half. Croxleys
pressure finally told as they scored 4 more to earn a 3rd round trip to NewGen FC.
NewGen FC Kent
who went through courtesy of a walk-over, when Saints FC, Cambridge had to withdraw as
they were unable to field a side.
United Churches Fellowship,Kent, NCC finalists in 2000,
saw off Thame United Churches 4-1 with a hat-trick from Jermaine McGlashan, despite Thame
having taken an early lead. UCF came back to take a 1 goal half-time lead, then went 3-1
up midway through the 2nd period and scored a 4th near the end. This was a hard fought
encounter that saw the UCF captain and the Thame keeper ending up in hospital, both
accidental!
The other game of the day was between Tabernacle FC, Worthing, winners back in
1999 and Beaconsfield Rangers, who went 1 up early in the first half and increased the
lead soon after the break. Beaconsfield then had to thank their keeper for safeguarding
their lead but as the game neared the end, drama ensued as a scrambled goal and a superb
free kick from Tabernacle in the last 3 minutes, sent the game into extra time! Tabernacle
then edged ahead only for Beaconsfield to equalise but, in the very last minute, Marv
Bulner scored a dramatic winner for Tabernacle. A fantastic cup tie!!
Late Reports (posted 19th January 2007!)
Two matches still to report from the 2nd Round: In the National Section,
Swallownest Bethesda FC, Sheffield hosted the students, Revive FC,
Loughborough University and started well with an early goal, despite having
six 1st Team players missing. However, Revive responded well with 2 quick
goals to lead 2-1 at the break and then continued to dominate in the second
half. They scored 2 more, scoring from an own goal and a penalty, to
comfortably win 4-1, in a game which was a credit to the Competition.
In the
South, West & Wales Region, Rhonnda Royals and Cardiff Inter Churches played
a midweek local derby in the wet Welsh rain. It was a fast paced game,
played in a great spirit, with Inter enjoying more possession and territory
but it was Rhonnda, with a goal in each half, who won 2-0. The second goal
was a real stunner, as the Royals young forward spun and turned, to hit an
incredible shot from all of 35 yards in to the far top corner!