Twenty two goals were scored in the three Cup games at a very wet Corkscrew Hill yesterday and all three games were exciting from start to finish. Unfortunately, the Fives went out of the AFA Senior Novets Cup against Actonians on the outside pitch – they lost 2 – 0 but pressed really hard in the second period but couldn’t hit the target.

Good luck to Actonians for the rest of the competition – they are a top bunch who were still in the bar when I left after 7pm – contrast this with Cray Wanderers Reserves who, like nearly all Pyramid type sides, go home to their Mums straight after the game. No beer for them and no more interest in the Kent Reliance Intermediate Cup – they lost 3 – 2 to the Reserves who put themselves under unnecessary pressure by gifting them two sloppy goals.

This is the first time that we have reached the Final of this competition so congratulations to the 16 man squad – Dan Cudmore and Oli Greene didn’t see any action but there were no moans from them as they know that the squad’s success is built on teamwork plus the ability to drink beer.

Thanks to the fans – 64 of them braved the horrible weather but they got value for money as they don’t have to pay – it was a great Cup Tie and the bar did a roaring trade as the Threes returned to base after winning their AFA Junior Cup Semi Final at Old Thorntonians and the Fours came back with their point from Carshalton.

Cray had some very good footballers but lacked pace in defence and Josh Tutt and Joe Ivory banged in three goals between them in the first 45 minutes. Defensively we mopped up most of their attacks before they could develop into clear cut shooting chances. Josh opened the scoring, Joe added a second with a cute header – we gave them a goal but Joe put us 3 – 1 up at half time.

The visitors had much more of the territorial play in the second period but never really looked like scoring until a goal mouth scramble put them right back in the game – the ball was knocked over the line before Tayler Emblem could scoop it back. The last 10 minutes were a bit difficult but had they equalised we would have fancied ourselves in a Shoot Out.

A detailed Match Report will be posted later.

So on 4th April we will play Lordswood Reserves or Cray Valley PM in the Final – something to look forward to but our priorities are now winning the League title and the SAL Cup.

Quite a few fans went to Roehampton to watch the Threes AFA Semi Final tie which was lucky to survive the weather. The pitch was only just playable and this hampered our style – still, Eman should have scored at least three and we squandered other gilt edge chances before Charlie Kallas’s shot was deflected into the net for our winner. We now play Carshalton in the Final of this prestigious tournament and we await the venue with baited breath. The grounds at HSBC or Wilsonians would be excellent venues for the game.

What the Manager said! (Macca)
Another thrilling day for the 4’s against a strong Carshalton side... We didn’t have the best of starts to our day, as a few of the boys got lost trying to find the ground and arrived about 20 minutes before kick off. In fairness to them, they had me trying to help then find the ground, sadly I’m probably the last person to ask directions and could only offer “it’s behind a church” which didn’t seem to help them much. They eventually arrived plus a Catholic priest and two choirboys -- God only knows how they came to be involved.

When we did get started I was watching the Carshalton boys with extra care, as I had overheard Jack's (CFC’s manager) girlfriend say to him in the bar beforehand “how did you get on texting the first teamers?” as their game had been called off last minute.

Anyway, we scored first Harry Smith made a run from the right and skipper for the day Joe Rahilly slipped him in one on one with the keeper, Harry did the rest, slotting it past the keeper with ease.

Carshalton started to find their feet (they were just at the end of their legs) after about 25 minutes and scored on half an hour, some confusion at the back led to a cool finish from their number 9.

In the second half, we felt confident it would be our day... but it took a turn for the worse as their 9 scored a second and then a third was added with sweet curling shot which gave Adam no chance.

We were making plenty of chances and dominated possession but "Where was Lady Luck?"
Maybe I should have played the priest or at least asked him to say a few prayers for us.

Carshalton did hit the bar though (unlike Cray Wanderers) and Adam made another great save as the clock ticked down. With 10 minutes to go, George Rahilly crossed from the left and found his brother Joe who slipped the ball into the corner from 10 yards. Back alive 3-2... on came Tom Pardon to play up top with Joe. More chances kept coming our way but it was starting to look like one of those days. Well, up until the tough tackling left back Harry (yes, he’s been booked again but he pulls every Friday night without fail) Clarke who smashed a sizzler from outside the box into the net. What a wonder strike! Take a bow son!

These boys don’t know when they are beaten -- with 90 seconds left could we "pull the chestnuts out of the fire?" -- sadly not despite the priest and the choirboys praying for divine intervention on the touchline.

Well done boys, loved it! Kieran Hughes made an eyecatching debut in midfield in a thrilling 3 - 3 draw. Tom Pardon 's help was invaluable -- a true Blueblood.