2008-2009 Season of the National Christian Trophy

Reports from Round Two

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It is difficult to know exactly if there were any shock results in the 2nd Round of the Trophy, as there are so many new teams this season. Interestingly though, only 2 teams in this season’s 3rd Round (last 16), Anfield FC (Liverpool) and 2008 Trophy Finalists, Welwyn St Marys (Herts) made it to this stage last year!

There are 8 Southern teams in this year’s last 16, representing the Herts & Borders Churches League, the Chiltern Churches League, the Southern Area Churches League, the Solent Churches League and the Kingston & District League. There are 4 teams from the Merseyside Christian League, 3 from the Derby Churches League and 1 from the South Manchester Churches League, to, so far(!), make it an even North vs South split!!

Attempting to identify the stronger teams left in the competition will be a bit like knowing what is likely to happen next in the present economic downturn!? BUT(!!) the “apparently strong” teams left could possibly include Anfield FC (Liverpool), Atlantic Electrical (Liverpool), Elim Bootle (Liverpool), Littleover Christians (Derby), Mansfield AFC, Testwood Baptist (Southampton) and Welwyn St Marys (Herts). Who knows? Exciting to see it how all develops!

It seems that most 2nd Round Trophy games were played in a great spirit, representing the Christian-based Competition, SO PLEASE keep going in this manner and ensure that there is a right attitude in ALL games!!

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National Section

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In a real game of two halves, Mansfield AFC fought back from a 0-3 deficit at half time to defeat Champions Church (Birmingham) by 4-3. Mansfield started well enough, creating good chances but were undone by some swift counter-attacking moves by Champions. However Mansfield gained momentum early in the second half, which saw Champions on the back foot from the off. The comeback began in the first few minutes as Mansfield gradually wore their opponents down and was completed when the Mansfield centre forward completed his hat-trick towards the end of the game.

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Atlantic Electrical (Liverpool) beat West Derby Warriors (Liverpool) 7-0, but the scoreboard probably was not a fair reflection of play. Atlantic’s keeper was in top form to thwart early West Derby pressure, but as Atlantic managed to get back in the game, they took a foot hold, scoring twice for a 2-0 half time lead. Again the Atlantic keeper was on form after the break as Warriors tried to get back in the game! Once Atlantic had scored the third goal, this killed the game off and sparked a flurry of four late goals, in a game played with great passion but in the right spirit!

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A fantastic game saw Elim Bootle (Liverpool) win 6-3 at Heathervale Baptist Reserves (Surrey) in a somewhat extraordinary game, which needed extra time! Despite scoring first from the spot, Elim found themselves 3-1 down, with just 7 minutes left, as Heathervale had taken advantage of good pressure and some poor defending! However an Elim tactical switch brought about the desired effect, as 2 late goals levelled the game! So into extra time and really it was Elim all the way as they took control and scored 3 more in a game played in a great spirit throughout!

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Regional Section (South & Wales) Wymondley Christians (Stevenage) needed extra time and then penalties to finally overcome United Churches Fellowship Reserves (Kent). Wymondley went ahead from a penalty but UCF equalised just before half time. The 2nd half was fairly even, although Wymondley were just shading it and hit the bar a couple of times. However, it was UCF that took the lead with just 20 minutes to go, only for Wymondley to level, to take the game into extra time. The teams again couldn’t be separated and the final score was 2-2. Wymondley edged the penalty shoot out 5-4!

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Mordern Baptistas (Surrey) edged out United Chelmsford Churches Reserves 3-2. It was Chelmsford who broke away to score first after some early Mordern pressure but Mordern equalised straight from the restart. In an even 1st half it finished 1-1 at HT. Mordern then gradually took control and scored twice to lead 3-1. UCC then reorganised and soon began to get the upper hand. When a forward launched the ball over the Mordern keeper into the back of the net from well outside the area, UCC had the bit between their teeth. Mordern Baptistas were reeling but were able to hold out to go through.

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Last season’s Trophy Finalists, Welwyn St Marys (Herts) travelled down to Essex, to play Romford Community Church, starting with only 10 men. After just 1 minute, they conceded a penalty to go 1 down but fought back to score twice from two back post headers. St Marys continued to apply impressive pressure considering still playing with 10 and made it 3-1 at HT. St Marys then resumed with 11 men but Romford scored against the run of play and continued to counter attack. The Essex side kept pressing and with 10 minutes to go levelled but St Marys got a deserved late winner in an amazing tense finish!

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In an end to end game played at pace and in a great spirit, Testwood Baptist Church, Southampton won 3-1 at Molesey Community Church, (Surrey). A well worked corner routine put them ahead and then a penalty gave them a 2-1 half time lead following a Molesey equaliser. Testwood scored again early in the second half and created more chances after that but Molesey then had 2 gilt edged opportunities to get back in the game but squandered them both in a tense finish!! The teams enjoyed superb hospitality after the game.

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A close game between Westside Reserves (Wandsworth) and Kings Sports Reserves (Herts) saw the home team just triumph 4-3. Westside started with an average age backline of 46 and opened the scoring early on only for Kings to equalise. However Westside then controlled the game and scored two more to ensure a 3-1 half time lead. It was a different tale after the break as Kings fought back to dominate, creating some good chances. With 20 minutes left, Kings got one back to ensure a tense finish. Westside then got a 4th with minutes to go only for Kings to make it 3-4 but it was too little, too late.

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Hazlemere Saints (Wycombe) beat Windsor Saints 5-4 on penalties after the teams finished 2-2 after extra time in a real game of two halves! Windsor took an early lead and doubled their advantage for a 2-0 interval lead. Hazlemere then finally started to play a bit, rediscovering their ability to attack! They scored early on and kept battling including having a good penalty appeal turned down until they equalised with a late scrambled equaliser! With no more goals in extra time, Hazlemere just scraped through in the penalty shoot out to finish a game played in the right spirit.

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Regional Section (North & Midlands)

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Kirkby Christian Fellowship Reserves (Liverpool) just edged through 3-2 away at AOG United (Derbyshire). It was a foggy, damp day in Derbyshire and the game was not helped by a muddy pitch but this did not stop the Merseysiders taking an early lead after a goal kick had been headed on. KCF were always able to keep their noses in front but AOG played well and should have drawn level at the death but an AOG player missed from very close range!

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A combination of the late arrival of the away team and the weather, with Sheffield fog closing in all of the time, meant that the game between Arbourthorne Community Church (Sheffield) and Anfield FC (Liverpool) was in danger of not starting. However, it was eventually shortened to 30 minutes each way. In the end a single Anfield goal was enough to win the game 1-0, although the game was not really played in the right spirit and Anfield had 2 players cautioned, which apparently could have been more! Who knows what might have happened with the full 90 minutes!?

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Coventry Saints, on their National Trophy debut, hosted Derby City Church but they went down 1-4. Coventry having won most of their League matches this season, started well and were unlucky not to take the lead. However, Derby changed their formation which proved a master stroke as they then dominated. They scored 2 quick goals on the half hour to lead 2-0 at HT. Coventry had a great chance soon after the break only to be thwarted by a superb tackle and Derby then scored a 3rd with an excellent 25 yard free kick. Coventry briefly threatened by pulling 1 back but a late 4th Derby goal made the game safe.

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Littleover Christians (Derby) beat Skelmersdale Legends 7-0. A late avalanche of 4 goals gave the scoreline a flattering feel but early on it was all very even with few chances for either side. It was not until 30 minutes into the game that Littleover scored their first, a sharp strike from the edge of the box and then added a 2nd just before the break. The contest was effectively over 10 minutes into the 2nd half when a lob beat the Skem keeper but surprisingly it was Skem who had more possession, although they created little. Defensive mistakes cost them dear as they gifted Littleover those late goals!!