FA Inter-League Cup Quarter-Final
The Arthurian League Representative side made a perfect start to their defence of the FA Inter League Cup they won so thrillingly at Lincoln FC back in May 2024, dispatching the Essex and Suffolk Border League 4-0 in commanding fashion on Saturday afternoon. Although the opponents could consider themselves unfortunate not to score having hit the woodwork no fewer than three times, there was never any doubt which side would emerge victorious once Tonbridge defender Harry Balcombe volleyed in from a corner after just thirteen minutes. A brace from skipper Josh Riley, including one from the spot, and a second half effort from Calum Holland ensured the As enjoyed a comfortable passage into the semi-finals and a home draw against the Cheshire League. Manager Billy Jenkins could only watch on with satisfaction and no little pride as the latest incarnation of the rep side he has so lovingly cultivated over a decade in charge produced surely one of their finest performances during his tenure. On an immaculate artificial pitch at Hanworth Villa FC just south of Twickenham, the As began brightly and dominated throughout – the first twenty minutes of the second half the only period in the match when a limited Essex side competed on even terms. The hosts made their intentions clear from the start, threatening down both wings with Josh Riley on the left and Hector Platt on the right driving at their full-backs. The Essex right-back in particular looked vulnerable and the first ten minutes saw him lose Riley at the far post, the forward only finding the side-netting from Platt’s driven cross. Callum Holland then cut in and tested the keeper following another flowing move – the Essex goalie would prove to be their standout player on the day. But he was powerless to prevent the A’s taking complete control with two goals inside four minutes. The first arrived via a corner on the right, Conor Mitchell whipping in a fine delivery that almost hit Harry Balcombe inside the six-yard box before flying into the net. Mitchell then earned the second with a clever turn just inside the box that drew a careless challenge from the defender, the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Riley stepped up to take responsibility and opted for power, only to see his effort blocked by the keeper. Fortunately, the rebound landed just close enough to the Repton man to allow him to bundle the ball in at the second attempt. A couple of decent forays from the Essex left-winger aside, it was one-way traffic. More flowing football saw Mitchell and Riley combine to free Callum Holland down the left, he danced inside his man before smashing a shot in at the near post only for the keeper to produce a magnificent reaction save, thrusting his right arm up at the last moment to deflect the ball over the bar. Riley then fired just wide before Platt came within inches of a stunning goal, a blunderbuss of a shot from over thirty yards out that crashed into the top of the post before rebounding to safety. But eight minutes before the break the A’s scored the third goal their dominance deserved to put the tie to bed. A long throw from the right caused havoc inside the box, Jak Alcock helped the ball across with a back-heel and Riley was on the spot to finish from close range at the far post. No changes were made at the interval with the manager happy to allow the starting eleven to continue their good work in the opening stages of the second half. It proved a rather quiet first fifteen minutes, however, with the hosts rather slow to rediscover their rhythm, one excellent move down the right aside – Holland and Platt combined to tee up Alcock, his shot on the turn was blocked by the defender. The visitors, in truth, offered very little with even their left winger now well shackled by Kimbolton right-back Harry Darnell, the rest of the A’s back four all outstanding in their defensive work, keeper Johnny Bowers almost a spectator behind them. With an hour played it was an apposite time to make the first of five changes, Finn Harvey and Alex Nanni both coming on for their Rep team debuts in place of Henry Larke and Harry Darnell. And eight minutes later Nanni was involved in the fourth A’s goal as another flowing move carved the visitors open. The ball was worked out to Riley on the left wing, he fed the substitute whose shot was initially blocked. But the rebound was collected and recycled out to the right where Platt was then played in down the line and his cut back was finished first-time at the far post by Callum Holland. Further changes duly arrived and the A’s continued to look dangerous, Ardinian Charlie Kelly providing a couple of classy moments off the left wing, Nanni spurning a glorious opportunity to score a fifth courtesy of a breakaway when Riley squared the ball to him only for the forward to fire wide with just the keeper to beat. To the visitors’ credit they continued to fight right until the end and could consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have pulled at least one goal back when they hit the woodwork no fewer than three times in the final twenty minutes. A superb free-kick from thirty yards out was well tipped onto the bar by Bowers, a corner then saw the tall centre-back also head on goal only for his effort to also rebound off the bar. And confirmation it really wasn’t to be their day arrived two minutes from time when the easiest chance of the lot saw a poor headed clearance land at the feet of a forward only for him to drill his left foot finish against the base of the far post. The 4-0 scoreline certainly didn’t flatter the A’s, with the visitors effusive in their praise at what they’d just witnessed after the game. Clearly tougher tests await in the semi-final against the Cheshire League and, hopefully, in the final in May. But as opening performances go in defence of a Cup, this was about as complete a display as could have been hoped for and confidence levels are understandably high. Onto the next! Line-up
1 Comment
JOHN GREENWOOD
11/3/2026 08:16:43 am
A fantastic afternoon's football. Leave a Reply. |
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