AFA Senior Cup - 2nd December 2006

We are through to the last 16 of the AFA Senior Cup after one of the most exciting and physical games of the season. We were playing away at Old Salesians who are currently in the first division so Cars were going into the game as underdogs although a promising pre season victory set the game up for a grudge match.

The game started hard and fast on a heavy pitch with the sun meaning you were looking for its shadow rather than the ball. Salesians dominated the first 20mins of the game until Cars started to match Salesians in the 50/50 tackles with Cars showing for the first time in the game that we could not only match but for spells dominate the game. We were hit unfortunately with a goal on 30mins from a looping header off the bar which landed plum on the head of their attacker which was followed by a Fisky shaped figure at full stretch flying across goal but only managing to get fingertips to it and could not prevent the goal. Which worked out as the referee reached for yellow rather than red. Following the goal Cars and Salesians were evenly matched for the last 15mins of the first half as both teams were using the width trying to find gaps but the Cars defence was like a chastity belt, impenetrable to all men.

There were some tactical changes in the break with Keith Cave going off for Justin Said and Michael Tilley slipping into centre back with Johnny Biggle and Luke Appleton moving to left back as Justin went into left midfield which meant there was only one outfield player over 23 not mentioning any name of course Wiggy.

Once the ref enjoyed his full 15 minutes, the second half showed Cars becoming more dominant as the game went on as our football started to become quicker and slicker. The increased pressure came good when on 80mins Fisky picked out Andy Taylor with a 30 yard ball over the head of the left back which was met by a great chest and volley from Andy Taylor past a keeper who did well to get finger tips to it. The last 10mins were nervy at times with the old boys and Swanny kicking every ball from the touchline as both Cars and Salesians pushed for a winner.  But following a couple of great saves from Neil Backers the ball was whipped in from the right and met by the RIGHT foot of Johnny Phillips who kept it low past the keeper's right into the bottom hand corner on 91mins to which was met by a crowd invasion from the sideline. This was almost the last kick of the game to prevent extra time and even penalties.

This was a great result and a great game of football and we would like to thank everyone for their support and for turning up and not for not coming with great excuses as hangover (Richard Smith); family engagements which meant having to go to the North London Derby (Rob Morley) and not being able to get back from the girlfriend's house (Dave Tilley).

Michael Tilley