The Old Parkonians ground at Fairlop is a happy hunting ground for the Bluebloods and Saturday was no exception as Oli Green's squad disposed of Old Parks 4 - 0 in the SAL Intermediate Cup Semi Final. As I predicted in yesterday mornings round up -- Ian Brooke, Paul Farthing and Chris Eadon would all score -- they did -- Chris got two and he is bang in form. The boys can now concentrate on winning the league -- they have two Cup Finals to look forward to in what has been an outstanding season.

There were 3 games at Corkscrew Hill but only the Fives won - they beat Old Wilsonians 3 - 1 with goals from Harry, Stu D'Urso and Glen Morrow. The Threes had only a James Howells goal to show for their efforts against Polytechnic who won the game 3 - 1 and my "spy" at the game told me that James was MOM.

After all the Cup excitement, the Reserves returned to league football with a visit to West Dulwich to play Alleyns. The afternoon got off to a bad start when the Croydon Gasworkers and Colliers Brass Band failed to turn up to entertain the crowd.

The pitch was in pretty good condition – it was quite soft on top (a bit like Nigel Farage) although, judging by the stud marks, it looked as if it had been played on in the morning.

Alleyns are always a test for the Bluebloods right through all our seven sides and this game was no different. I was surprised to see them at the foot of the table but they had won their last 5 games so were in good form and the game was a ding dong battle right to the last kick when Alleyns were unlucky not to equalise the scores at 4 – 4.

As usual the boys were well supported – all our seven supporters were called Paul which is another club record – their names aren’t all Paul but we call them Paul anyway – it’s much easier.

Tall Paul (Kempy) got the half time teas but forgot to get one for Small Paul (Cudders) – the other five Paul’s were discussing Joe Ivory’s first goal of the year so missed getting any tea at all. To be fair the goal was an excellent set up, started by left wing back Carl Goppy who set Dan Cudmore free down the left touchline, Cudders beat two men and squared the ball (it’s difficult to square a round ball but Cudders did it) and there was Joseph all on his own (no sign of Mary) and we were one up. The stable door was open but we nearly threw the baby out with the bath water.

We were much the better side in the first half but the home side did carve out a few chances but on two occasions lost their footing on the slippery surface and the chances went begging. They were urged on by their vocal centre back who could well be on The Voice next Saturday – Alleyn’s were not out of this contest by any means and the second half promised to be very interesting.

Joe Kemp was proving a difficult man to mark, frequently The Voice was struggling to locate “Kempes” and it was no surprise when he smacked in our second. Funnily, I was never confident that 2 – 0 was winning score line as Alleyns were winning far too much of the ball in midfield and their striker was proving a right handful. They scored three goals all of them coming from their right flank – we were guilty of not clearing our lines quickly – over indulgence and slack marking were punished and we were in danger of dropping 3 valuable points.

Don’t get confused – we were never behind -- because after the home side opened their account to make it 2 – 1 “Kempes” sliced through their defence leaving The Voice singing for his supper – he smacked the ball into the far corner and it was 3 – 1.

Defensive dilly dallying was punished by their striker who dispossessed Craig Rathbone and lashed the ball into the top right hand corner. It was mayhem - all we needed was the brass band. But Kempes was having none of it – off he went on the rampage again – driving down the right flank, he outpaced two defenders and crossed for Carl Goppy to blast the ball into the roof of the net. But even at 4 – 2 all the Seven Pauls were biting their nails.

And it wasn't finished yet – we conceded a needless foul on our left flank and the free kick fell to an unmarked player in our box -- he knocked the ball, casually, past a helpless John Chisholm in the Blueblood goal.

With 3 minutes remaining we were clinging on to a tenuous lead and needed a brave block by skipper James Williams to deny Alleyns an equaliser. This was the last kick of a very entertaining game and, for sure, the shot was bound for the top corner.

Man of the Match was “Kempes” – Rathbone and Maws were tireless - Cudmore was crafty – Goppy was outstanding -- our defence was nervous – the Band was absent – the points were in the bag – but only just.

Tall Paul and myself drove back to Corkscrew Hill to watch the end of the First team game against Old Parkonians – this ended 0 – 0 although Kingo came very close to scoring in the last minute - his effort was scrambled clear. Just prior to that Joe Walby had the ball in the net but he was correctly given offside when he picked up Ollie Clark’s through ball and hit the target. We had two clear cut penalties ignored by the referee – but that’s football. Really good to see Sam Wheeler back between the sticks again and still smiling.

Got a birthday card from Jurgen Klopp this morning -- his handwriting is really similar to my wifes but I knew that he wouldn't forget me. YNWA.