2007-2008 Season Reports

Reports from the 2007-2008 Season of the National Christian Cup

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2007-2008 Season of the National Christian Cup

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There were probably no real shocks in the 2nd Round, although some big names did fall after being drawn against other strong contenders. Among them included 3 times winners Bolton Ambassadors, Breckfield Crusaders Liverpool, 2004 Finalists Mill Lane Churches Liverpool and last year s winners St Albans Romans.

Most games were played in a great spirit, representing the Christian-based Competition but one team has been reported for displaying wrong attitudes in their second round game. They may be disciplined and therefore scrutinised in all their NCC games by an Independent Match Observer. Please be warned and ensure that all your NCC games are played in the right spirit! Thanks.

In a local derby game, FC Bootle, Liverpool triumphed 3-0 over rivals Grassendale. With both teams in mid-table and having recently shared a 2-2 draw in a League game, a closer game might have been anticipated. However, on a windy day but on a good pitch, it was Bootle, who were always in control in this one and played some decent football to move effortlessly into the last 16.

St Johns Bowling Eagles, Bradford will now play host to FC Bootle after beating Breckfield Crusaders, Liverpool, 1-0. This was a very tight game, with two good footballing sides producing a very good game despite being played in appalling conditions. Having taken a first half lead, the St Johns defence, upon which their good cup run last year was based, remained solid and held on despite having to soak up severe pressure from Breckfield. The Merseysiders had two good second-half chances but the St Johns keeper made a couple of great saves

Revive, Lougborough, who are the Christian Union side at the University, entertained Renewal Solihull. For much of the game, Revive were in control but were only able to score one first half goal. Despite Renewal battling hard throughout, the students kept up the pressure and scored twice more. However, Revive did miss a penalty and could have scored more goals. The game was played in a good spirit but in the end Revive were just too strong for Renewal, deserving the 3-0 win.

The match between Morley BSC, Leeds and St Bridgets, Liverpool started fiercely with some slick passing and good saves from both keepers. The opening goal for Morley was soon cancelled out by St Bridgets as the sides ended the first half all square. In the second half Morley came out strongly and after they took the lead, were able to play some settled football. Gaps were now opening up in the Bridgets defence, which eventually led to two further goals. This meant that they were now in control of the game and despite the Merseysiders playing some good football, Morley s class showed through and they well deserved the 4-1 win.

In a fantastic game played out by both teams, Bridge Street United, Leeds finally triumphed 4-3 against Trinity St Marys, Liverpool. Although Bridge Street started strongly, it was Trinity that took the lead on the break. Eventually, Bridge Street equalised after 30 minutes but despite having most of the possession, Trinity continued to play well on the break and took the lead just before half-time! The game followed the same pattern as Bridge Street equalised, only for Trinity to take the lead for the third time! However Bridge Street levelled again and got the winner with just 5 minutes remaining, after a good finish that proved to be the winner. It was tough on Trinity but what a breathtaking game!!

In a South London derby, New Life FC, Croydon overcame their Bromley & Croydon Church League rivals Penge Family Church, Croydon 3-2. In another weather affected game, the Penge defence was very organised and did not allow New Life any space in which to play. With the strong wind at their back, Penge raced into a 2-0 half time lead. However, undeterred and with the conditions now on their side, New Life laid siege to the Penge goal scoring 3 times, the second of which was a stunning 20 yard free kick. It could have gone either way and Penge were gutted to give away a 2 goal lead but New Life march on!!

Kings Sports, Herts, after having achieved their highest ever accolade the previous season, by winning the Herts FA County Cup, have found life a very different experience this season and went into their NCC game with Croxley Baptist, Watford having won only once in 11 games! A cup shock was on the cards as Croxley showed they were determined to go and win this one! It was fairly even early on and Croxley wasted one good opportunity but Kings slowly began to up the tempo but it remained 0-0 at the break. Kings took the game to Croxley and should have taken the lead before they did after 75 minutes. However Croxley then scored from a goalmouth scramble but Kings got the winner, making it 2-1, with minutes left!

In a game of two halves, Potter Street Baptist, Harlow, despite taking a 2-0 first half lead, were eventually beaten 3-2 after a great second half performance from River Church Rangers, Maidenhead. Potter Street powered into the lead with a superb free kick and doubled their lead within the first 10 minutes. The turning point was just before half time when a goal line clearance was then half-volleyed back onto the bar, which would have put Potter Street into a probable unassailable 3 goal lead! However, within minutes, River Church pulled one back, shortly before the break and then the second half was all River Church. They wrapped up the win with two further goals.

Despite a poor pitch, Lewin Sports, Streatham and Kings Sports Reserves, Herts put up a titanic battle with the outcome in the balance until the last few minutes. Lewin took an early lead but Kings rallied well and took charge of the game, scoring 2 goals to take the lead only for Lewin to equalise just before half time. Lewin piled on the pressure in the second half, taking the game to Kings and again took the lead before finally wrapping up the game late on. Final score, 4-2.

Cup holders St Albans Romans travelled to meet United Churches Fellowship, Orpington with a much weakened team and were unable to defend their title, losing 4-1. The first 25 minutes were close but UCF got the crucial breakthrough and then took complete control when scoring three more before half time. Romans looked a bit ragged and demoralised but they did come out battling after the break. UCF defended their lead well, although Romans had a few good chances but their only goal proved to be just a consolation.

Again in South London, Drummond Rovers were beaten 3-2 by Selsdon Baptist Church, Croydon. Selsdon started the strongest and had Drummond on the back foot but, as often happens in football, Rovers took the lead against the run of play! Selsdon fought back, equalising when a long range cross dropped in over the keeper s head! They scored again just before half time and although Drummond pulled level early in the second half, a late winner saw Selsdon prevail.

In a very tight game St Wilfrids, Newcastle overcame Mill Lane Churches, Liverpool 2-1. The first half was very close and in fact most of the action came in the last 15 minutes with St Wilfrids firstly taking the lead. Mill Lane equalised immediately but with just 5 minutes remaining, St Wilfrid s player manager came off the bench to grab the winner, in a game that could easily have gone either way!!

It was Focus, Liverpool who took better advantage of the wind, winning 4-1 at home against Genesis, Loughborough. After 20 minutes, Focus went ahead against the elements but Genesis responded by playing some good football and soon equalised. With the scores level 1-1 at the break, Focus then made better use of the wind in the second half and, having fallen behind, Genesis chasing the game, were left a bit exposed at the back. Focus made the most of the space in the Genesis defence, although the 4-1 scoreline was not really a fair reflection on the game, that was played in a great spirit!

Despite playing against the slope and the elements in the first half, Meols, Liverpool, playing at Mansfield AFC, made the early running but despite the pressure went behind to a well headed goal. Meols got back in the game but were not able to equalise until just before the break. However in the second half they used the advantage of the strong wind well, with three further goals. Meols s well orchestrated passing game proved too much for a valiant Mansfield side. Final score, 4-1.

With the strong wind at their backs, Ecclesia FC, Sheffield were able to race into a 4-0 half time lead against Arbourthorne Community Church, Sheffield. Two goals came from corners, with ACC partly contributing to their own downfall after some slack marking! However it was predictably a different story in the second half with Arbourthorne coming back strongly with two goals of their own, although it proved too little, too late. Final score 4-2.

In a high scoring and evenly matched game, South Parade FC, Liverpool finally overcame Billingham Crusaders, Teeside 5-3. Billingham took the lead against the run of play within the first 15 minutes and then had chances to go further ahead but South Parade took control with 2 headed goals. However, in an end to end game, the Teesiders levelled just before the break. In a tough second half, with plenty of chances for both teams, South Parade again took the lead only for Billingham to make it 3-3! However a great strike saw South Parade get a fourth and they sealed the game late on with a further goal.

The National Christian Cup
2007 / 2008 Sharpshooters List (Up to and including the 2nd Round - November 2007)

Position	Name	Goals	Team	Matches Club Played
1st =	A Carlson	5	South Parade, Liverpool*	2
	D McParland	5	Focus, Liverpool*	2
	B Nolan	5	Lewin Sports, Streatham*	2

Stats based on result cards received by 31/12/07 ~ Loads of players on 1 and 2 goals!
* Teams still left in the Competition!

The National Christian Trophy - 2007 / 2008

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Reports from the 2nd Round

It is difficult to know exactly if there were any shock results in the 2nd Round of the Trophy, as it will take a while to establish which teams are the stronger ones and of course some of them (if not many!) may well have progressed into the National Christian Cup! There were 8 Merseyside Christian League teams in the last 32, of which 5 went through. It would seem that quite a few of these teams will possibly feature in the last rounds, especially as there are 4 of them in the bottom half of the draw! It would come as no surprise if one of them made it to the Final. However, some apparently strong teams from the top half will also want to have a real go at winning the Trophy for the first ever time! These could possibly include Christchurch Ware, Welwyn St Marys, Duke Street Richmond, Kings Church Orpington, Christchurch Bromley and Kings Sports A Herts. Who knows? It is exciting to see it how all develops! It seems that ALL games were played in a great spirit, representing the Christian-based Competition, SO PLEASE keep going in this manner and ensure that all your Trophy games are played in the right spirit.

Kings AFC, Birmingham hosted Frontline, Liverpool in what turned out to be an exciting, end to end high scoring game! Both teams started well, probing for the opener but it was Kings that scored and indeed soon went into a 2 goal lead, going into the break well in control. Almost from the re-start, Frontline pulled one back only for Kings to go 3-1 up. However, Frontline put Kings under pressure, which paid off as they scored twice to draw level and take the game into extra -time and then take the lead but Kings put in a final charge, scoring from two half chances to win 5-4 and head off to the 3rd Round!

The banks of the Mersey was the setting for a wet, windy, muddy, cold and altogether perfect Merseyside day as St Barts Roby, Liverpool hosted Molesey Community Church, Surrey! The game was tight early on, although Molesey began to take control and should have taken the lead after 30 minutes but for a good save from the St Barts keeper. However 10 minutes later, Molesey did score from a swirling 30 yard free-kick. In the second half, MCC dominated proceedings and scored two more and despite a consolation goal from St Barts 10 minutes from the end, it was a comfortable 3-1 victory for MCC, in a good spirited game.

In a game played in an excellent spirit, worthy of the cause of Christian football , Christchurch Ware won 7-1 against Cheltenham Trinity with a strong performance based on quick, intricate passing and powerful, accurate shooting. Christchurch were in control from the 10th minute and added a second before half time, making it difficult for Trinity to gain any real momentum. Cheltenham started the second half strongly and had a couple of good chances but Christchurch were able to find another gear and a series of powerful and accurate shots led to 5 more goals, to end up comfortable winners.

Kings Church, Orpington produced a professional all-round team performance in overcoming Sporting 87 A , Suffolk by a convincing 9-0 margin. Kings started quickly and several slick passing movements saw Kings threaten the 87 goal on numerous occasions before the deadlock was broken. Kings then dominated and scored at regular intervals although Sporting must be commended as they continued to play with the right character and attitude throughout, despite the score-line!

In harsh, windy conditions Welwyn St Marys won 4-0 at Cambray FC Cheltenham. Welwyn took the game to Cambray and pinned them in their own half during the first half but bizarrely, both their two first half strikes were own goals! The second half was a much keener affair with St Marys having to rely on two breakaway goals for a win that was not as comfortable as the scoreline might suggest!

Bluntisham Baptist, Cambs were 3-0 winners at home to St Matthews, Cheltenham. Kicking with the wind, St Matthews were unable to take advantage of their superiority and indeed were grateful to their keeper for saving a Bluntisham penalty. However, St Matts then had a period of pressure but it was still goalless at the break. Bluntisham used the wind to much better advantage and advanced with some flowing football, scoring 3 times, with a hat trick from James Holloway, in a game played with a great spirit.

After a scrappy first half, not helped by the weather, New Life Reserves, Croydon and Windsor Saints went into the break level. Windsor then applied early pressure and were unlucky not to lead after hitting the woodwork on two occasions but with 20 minutes to go New Life took the lead after some slack Windsor marking. Windsor pushed an extra man upfield seeking to level, which they finally did with just 30 seconds to go!! In extra time, Windsor quickly took the lead only to be pegged back almost immediately by a spirited New Life team. However, the young legs of Windsor proved too strong as 2 more goals secured them the win, 4-2, in an exciting match played in a good spirit, between two evenly matched sides.

A seriously weakened Stopsley Baptist FC, Luton hosted Duke Street Baptist, Surrey. The game was fairly even for the first 30 minutes until Duke Street scored and then swarmed all over Stopsley, having numerous chances until they got a second to lead 2-0 at half-time. The Beds side, who were top of their Herts/Beds Churches league, could only field 11 men and after they sustained three injuries (including their goalkeeper), reducing them to only 8 players for the second half, it was sportingly agreed that the half-time 2-0 scoreline should stand as the final result.

A topsy-turvy game, well contested and played in an excellent spirit. Into a stiff wind, Kings Sports A , Herts started brightly against Christchurch Bromley but CCB soon took the lead from a well worked move. Kings pressed and equalised with a towering header. After the break, CCB retook the lead when the wind held up a long through ball and a CCB forward outpaced the defenders. Shortly afterwards Kings equalised again when a corner was only partially cleared and returned with interest. KS now dominated, hitting the bar 3 times and CCB led a charmed life but yet again went ahead, only for Kings to quickly level for a third time! As both teams tired in extra time, it was Kings who grabbed the deserved winner!!

In another great-spirited and competitive game, Stanley Park FC, Liverpool overcame Sunderland Samba by 4-1. It was a close fought first half, with both teams up for the win and having opportunities to score. Playing into a strong wind, Stanley Park worked hard to keep the score goalless at half time. However, now with the wind at their backs, the Merseysiders raced into a two goal lead early after the break. Sunderland remained in contention with a long range goal and came close to equalising, before finally succumbing to two more breakaway goals as they searched for the elusive equaliser.

In a hard fought match played in excellent spirit, Kirkby Christian Fellowship, Liverpool overcame South Manchester Ambassadors 4-1. Kirkby edged ahead when a vicious shot was deflected into the net and then a deft header gave Kirkby a solid lead. However, Ambassadors pulled one back with a well taken effort, only for Kirkby to score twice more, including an amazing long range effort from goalkeeper Ian Bennett!

Another very close game played in good spirit saw Toft Tornados, Cheshire win 3-1 against Norris Green, Liverpool. Toft took the lead with a spectacular 30 yarder only for Norris Green to level, after defensive frailties from the Cheshire side! Norris Green then twice had shots cleared off the line and had an effort ruled out for a marginal offside decision but it was Toft who took the lead again with a penalty following a hand ball. With time running out, the Norris Green keeper came up for a corner only for Toft to break away and score into the unguarded net to seal the win!

Living Hope, Hull were playing their first ever competitive game, having played several friendlies in the past. They displayed a marvellous attitude throughout despite being outplayed by a strong AC Mitchell, Liverpool side. The final score was 10-0 but they loved it and still want to come back for more next season! The warmth of fellowship from the Hull team was in stark contrast to the bitingly cold North Sea wind!

In yet another wind affected match, it was Anfield FC, Liverpool who won 5-0 at Doncaster Lakeside despite scoring all their goals in the second half against the wind! Funny game football!! Anfield immediately took the initiative and created many chances in the 1st half but excellent goalkeeping from the Lakeside keeper, combined with a resolute defence, kept Anfield at bay. However in the 2nd period, Anfield again pushed forward, scoring an early goal. Doncaster kept working hard but more goals came at regular intervals as Anfield s superiority became more and more evident. This was an excellent game played in the right spirit, with quality football winning in the end.

The National Christian Trophy
2007 / 2008 Sharpshooters List (Up to and including the 2nd Round - November 2007)

Position	Name	Goals	Team	Matches Club Played
1st =	P Bullen	5	AC Mitchell, Liverpool*	1

2nd =	O Gibbs	4	Molesey Community Church*	2
	F Higgs	4	Christchurch, Ware*	2

4th =	J Holloway	3	Bluntisham Baptist, Cambs*	1
	R Hughes	3	AC Mitchell, Liverpool*	1
	D King	3	Kings Church, Orpington*	1

Stats based on result cards received by 31/12/07 ~ Loads of players on 1 and 2 goals!
* Teams still left in the Competition!

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