CAMDEN SUNDAY LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

This article first appeared in the Camden New Journal, dated 11 October 2012.

Published: 11 October, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT
 

BOUNDARY Estate’s Ben Watson (right) and Enate United’s Sam Jackson were among the players hoping to edge their teams a step closer to winning the prestigious Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup at the weekend.
 

The preliminary round of the highly-sought after competition, which we proudly sponsor, once again delivered none stop action with a staggering 72 goals in just 11 games. United play a division above rivals Estate, but did the magic of the cup strike at Hackney Marshes to cause an upset?

The article below also appeared in the Camden New Journal, dated 11 October 2012.

Published: 11 October, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

GUNNERS’ goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and Vito Mannone might want to watch their backs as it looks like the club has unearthed another top shot-stopper.

Arsenal communications officer Tom Bennett swapped the Emirates Stadium for Hackney Marshes at the weekend and put in a starring role between the sticks in the preliminary round of the highly-sought after Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup, which we sponsor.

Bennett made a vital save during a dreaded shoot-out as Boundary Estate FC beat Enate United 6-5 on penalties to earn their first win of the season.

The Islington club only managed to field 10 players for the all-important tie, and found themselves even more up against it when skipper Josh Mahony powered home Jesse Caplan’s tantalising delivery from a corner to give United the lead.

But for all of their possession, the Division Two side lacked a genuine goal threat and failed to find a decisive second.

They were left to rue their lack of a cutting edge up front in the final minutes of the match when Fedele Boccia equalised for Boundary, chesting down a corner before walloping the ball into the back of the net.

The game remained 1-1 after extra time and so it was left to Lady Luck to settle the tie. The first 10 penalties were all scored with aplomb, none more cheeky than a chipped effort from United’s Jack Hughes that agonisingly evaded Bennett’s grasp.

The goalkeeper got even closer in sudden-death, however, as he flew across the face of the net to palm away Jason De Lencastre’s effort. That gave Jack Pegg the chance to score the winning penalty, which he nervously accepted.

Following his goalkeeping heroics, Boundary’s No.1 said: “With five minutes of regular time to go, we were 1-0 down with only 10 players against a team from the division above and thought we were a spent force.

“Something in our club motto – nos semper vincere (we always win) – pushed us on though, and in the dying embers of the game, we found an equaliser to take the game to penalties.

“Then it was just a battle of nerve. We were clinical, scoring all six of our spot-kicks and putting tremendous pressure on our opponents.

“I couldn’t get to their first five, but knew I would have a chance sooner or later. I guessed the right way for their first sudden-death kick, and managed to get enough on it to push it away.”

CAMDEN SUNDAY LEAGUE: DIVISION 2

This post first appeared in the Camden New Journal in September 2011

The Hurricanes FC made a decent start to the season when they saw off FC Bertoli 2-1 thanks to goals from James Mandell and Theo Bard.

Enate United and Boundary Estate also start the season unbeaten as they shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Peter Kelly equalised late on for Boundary after David Morgan had put Enate ahead in the first-half.

BOUNDARY LOSE CUP FINAL

This post first appeared in the Camden New Journal, 17 March 2011.

Published: 17 March 2011
by STEVE BARNETT 

THE Hurricanes left Boundary Estate FC in their wake as they took their first step towards a domestic double in the Camden Sunday League by winning the Junior Cup at Cockfosters Stadium. 

Striker Todd Clarkson opened the scoring from the penalty spot after James Mandell was brought down in the area, giving the Blues a well-deserved 1-0 lead at the break.

Leading scorer Clarkson grabbed his second of the game, and 20th of the season, early in the second half when he latched on to a defence-splitting pass from Thomas Eccleshare and lifted the ball impudently over the onrushing keeper. 

The Hurricanes’ success this season has owed much to their strength in depth, and so it proved again with three players coming off the bench to make an impact. 

First Dom Ashton climbed highest at a corner to head home a decisive third goal for the Blues. 

Then Harry Satterthwaite calmly set-up fellow sub James Roberts on the edge of the area to brilliantly smash the ball home from distance to add the finishing touches to a resounding 4-0 victory.

Match-day captain Sam Morris and manager Adam Lawrence lifted the trophy in front of the adoring Hurricanes’ faithful on what was a historic day for the club.

“After we opened the scoring, there was only ever going to be one winner,” said Blues’ boss Lawrence.

“I’m delighted with the performance and for all the lads and the supporters. It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with the Hurricanes.” 

The club’s attention now turns to the league campaign and a looming title-decider against Boston Celtics in April.

The Hurricanes are currently on a run 12 consecutive wins, leaving them four points clear at the top of the Division Three table.

CHALLENGE CUP RECAP

This article first appeared in the Camden New Journal, 10 February 2011:

Published: 11 February, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

Phoenix fired up for the treble

PHOENIX are closing in on the treble after booking their place in the semi-finals of our prestigious Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup. 

The unstoppable side need just a point from their game against Mostyn FC on Sunday to be crowned Division One champions. They’ve also already booked a date with Division Two leaders Athletico Annies in the final of the Senior Cup the following weekend. 

Now Phoenix are just two games away from lifting our Challenge Cup too after beating Lord Southampton 3-1 in the quarter-finals. 

One of the main driving forces behind the club’s success is leading scorer Anthony Clarke, who netted twice again at the weekend and set-up Jake King for the all-important third goal. Striker Clarke has now scored 38 goals so far this season. 

Lord Southampton had threatened a come-back when they pulled the score back to 2-1, but a magnificent goalkeeping display from Daniel Ewens kept Phoenix in the driving seat. 

Manager Dave Harber said after the game: “It would be an honour to lift the Challenge Cup with the bunch of players I’ve got at the moment.

“This is the best squad I’ve ever had, it’s a real pleasure managing them. 

“Anthony has been a huge asset to the club, both on and off the pitch. He’s scored 67 goals in two seasons and behind the scenes he’s helped organised the squad and brought in some top players. I also think that our goalkeeper Daniel deserves a mention. He’s one of the best young keepers in the league, and I’m very proud to have him on the books.” 

AFC Shooters are also in the final four after mounting a remarkable comeback against Cobden Athletic. 

Trailing 2-0 with just 20 minutes left, Marc Monserat turned the game around with a quick-fire double. In the final minutes captain Stephen Parker headed home from close range to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory. 

Manager John Domokos said, “After a hangover-ridden season, Marc finally pulled a big performance out of the bag. The rest of the teams in the competition should now be afraid.”

Athletico Annies and Boundary Estate FC complete the semi-final line-up.

CHALLENGE CUP: 8 TEAMS LEFT

This post first appeared in the Camden New Journal, 13 January 2011.

Published: 13 January, 2011

by STEVE BARNETT

THERE are just eight teams left battling it out for the prestigious Camden New Journal trophy following an action-packed second round at Hackney Marshes. 

The shock of the round was the exit of cup holders Mostyn, sensationally knocked out by league newcomers Athletico Annies. 

Joe Thompson opened the scoring when he latched on to a Teddy Barham through ball and coolly beat the keeper. Alan Covington made it 2-0 when he powered home Kurt Freeney’s corner.

Mostyn pulled a goal back before half time to leave the tie tightly balanced. With just five minutes of normal time to go Mostyn grabbed the equaliser to send the game into extra-time. Athletico refused to be beaten, however, and went on to seal a 5-2 win thanks to a quick-fire double from Freeney and a cheeky chip from Ryan Tanner. 

Division One leaders Pho­enix (pictured below) netted the biggest win of the round with an 8-0 victory over Division Two side Constitution. For 35 minutes it looked like the Cons were on course to cause an upset as they kept the free-scoring Phoenix at bay. But two penalties from Anthony Clark ended any chance of a giant-killing act. Captain Michael Pattrick also chipped in with two goals, but it was man-of-the-match Gio Falzone who stole the show with four goals. 

Kevin Shudell scored a hat-trick as Cobden Athletic eased past the Surreal Madrid ‘D’ team. Robin Harrison was also on target in a 5-1 victory. 

Lord Southampton booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Mayville. Alexie Nicolaou, Jason Medford, John Purcell and Mark Dawson grabbed the goals. 

Strikes from John Domokos and JJ Monserat saw AFC Shooters progress with a 2-0 win over Park City Rangers. 

Other results saw Lord Tredegar beat Enate United 7-2, while Boundary Estate needed extra-time before sealing a 2-1 win over the Mayville ‘B’ team.