Lancashire & Cheshire AFL 0 Cambridgeshire County League 5
Maine Road FC
The Cambridgeshire County League (Kershaw League) travelled north once again for this second round tie. Overnight heavy rain had left the pitch extremely soft and only just playable.
The Cambridgeshire County League got off to the dream start with Ben Mhishi (Fulbourn Institute) beating the offside trap before beating the advancing goalkeeper and slotting the ball home after only 2 minutes. It got even better after 11 minutes with a good move involving several led to Chris Smith (Fulbourn Institute) picking the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and slotting the ball home from 12 yards.
The half continued with Cambridgeshire in control but the lead was nearly halved on 25th minutes but a good save by Phil Peachey (Great Shelford) kept the two goal league intact. Cambridgeshire’s third goal arrived on 32 minutes and was a fine individual effort by Michael Lambert (Cambridge University Press) who picked up the ball 30 yards out beating 4 players before placing the ball in the far corner of the net.
The half time whistle came and ended a perfect half for the Cambridgeshire County League.
Half Time:- Lancashire & Cheshire AFL 0 Cambridgeshire County League 3
The second half started with not surprisingly Lancashire & Cheshire AFL putting Cambridgeshire County League under some pressure, but the Cambridgeshire defence held firm and with their first attack of the half on 53 minutes a move involving several players culminated with an excellent cross from Andy Pettit (Fulbourn Institute) found Ben Mhishi (Fulbourn Institute) who headed home from 6 yards for his 2nd and Cambridgeshire’s 4th. The 5th and final goal arrived 3 minutes later with Chris Smith (Fulbourn Institute) pounced on a mistake to slot home for his second.
The remainder of the game was played out with Cambridgeshire, who were firmly in control and could have scored more, but the job was done and the Cambridgeshire County League could look forward to a place in the quarter final.
Full Time:- Lancashire & Cheshire AFL 0 Cambridgeshire County League 5
Once again the players who travelled were a credit to the League and their clubs. Also a ‘big’ thank you to those supporters who travelled down on the day of the match.
Cambridgeshire County League:-
1. Phil Peachey (Great Shelford)), 2. Scott Paterson (CUP), 3. Chris Lindsay (Fulbourn Institute),
4. Jordan Lambert (Fulbourn Institute), 5. Nick Baggeley 6. Robbie Farrington (both Great Shelford)
7. Andy Pettit (Fulbourn Institute), 8.Michael Lambert (CUP) 9. Ben Mhishi 10. Chris Smith 11. Buster Harradine (All Fulbourn Institute)
Subs Used:- 12. Josh Bridgeman (Cottenham United) for Michael Lambert after 63 mins
14. Callum Gawthrope (Great Shelford) for Ben Mishi after 72 mins
15. Craig Paterson (CUP) for Chris Smith after 80 mins.
Subs not used:- 16. Matthew Green (Great Shelford), 18. Joe Egan (CUP)
Manager:- Andy Rossi
Asst Manager:- Andy Masters
Physio:- Kevin Stubley