A big cup game for Norsemen FC as they looked to continue their impressive start to season. Everyone was very aware however, that our only defeat of the season did come at the hands of Ally Pally and so everyone knew it wasn't going to be an easy passage to the next round.

The game was played on the 1st team pitch, the larger surface probably helpful for 2 teams who like to get the ball down and stretch play. Norsemen had a couple of notable absentees, but were still able to loan out a few regular players to the 6th team to help out and give them some match practice, in a game which ended 0-0.

Both teams started the game fairly nervously, all too aware that a quarter final place was at stake. Chances were few and far between, and the ball spent a lot of time being passed around, lost and won back in the midfield. The conditions didn't help, with the driving rain becoming heavier and heavier as the half went on. Ally Pally tried to use the wings to cause problems and won a few free-kicks in our half, but the resulting balls didn't cause too many problems.  We improved as the half went on, without playing to our best. A couple of corners were forced at either end, but there were no real chances to note and the half-time whistle was a welcome relief as both teams headed back into the changing rooms. The bald brave battler Halpin was removed feeling very under the weather, replaced by Beveridge at LB.

HT 0 - 0

The HT team talk was fairly positive, but it was clear there was room for improvement, and also a need to keep our concentration as it was obvious one goal may well be enough. A few of the more composed members of the team (Keye, Clark, Bevvers) were heard confidently discussing the possibility of a penalty shoot-out settling the game. But that was still a long way off, and the second half started off with more pace and bite than the first half and things started to liven up a bit. The rain had stopped and both teams started pressing and trying to create chances. The referee began to frustrate some Norsemen players due to some fairly baffling decisions, but thankfully these were trivial things (throw-ins, free-kicks in midfield) and they didn't affect the game significantly. By 75 minutes, Norsemen should probably have been ahead. Some neat attacking football saw Porky ghost into the box, and his deflected shot fell to Green whose goalward effort was expertly headed over by their centre-half for a corner. From the resulting corner, Keye powered a header off the crossbar with the keeper stranded. A mere couple of inches costing Keye badly, not for the first time.

We all feared these would be the chances we would regret, but Ally Pally could not break through and punish us and when the freshly-introduced White curled in an absolute peach off the post from the right touchline about 30 yards out with 5 minutes remaining, it was no more than Norsemen's efforts deserved. An early goal of the season contender, such a beautiful goal at such an important time of the match.
The last 5 minutes and injury time were comfortably seen out and Norsemen progressed to the quarter finals.

An excellent victory which every player earned through hard work and persarverance in what were horrific conditions in parts. Also finally the first clean sheet of the season, which we need to build on.
Back to league duty this weekend with a trip to Salesians, where Norsemen will hope to match last season's gritty performance down there, and keep our great early start going.
It must be added that as it was Halloween weekend, strange mystical and weird happenings were always to be expected. But no-one could quite believe their eyes when Danny and Nigel  bought a jug. I still think it was just a post-match hallucination. As far as I'm aware, no-one managed to capture this freak (apparent) event on camera and so it's mystery will continue to intrigue us for years. Also another strange occurrence was the fact Keye managed to get through 90 minutes of football without forgetting he can’t actually play football. Sticking to Greens clear orders of head, and attempt to kick.

Before a historic fixture played out at Buckingham Palace Monday between two other SAL teams, the mighty 3rd XI were heading to Wembley...or not. After plenty of to'ing and fro'ing between the two clubs midweek, the venue was finally agreed for this mammoth fixture. A place with a long Norsemen history and even longer grass. Church Street got the nod.

Norsemen entered the game full of confidence after notching four wins out of four, particularly after last weeks impressive victory over division one's West Wickham. Having said that, AP themselves had an unbeaten record to protect so a tough game was in store.

We welcomed back Amico, Williams, Pett and Lyte into the fold who made up the strong bench, and lined up as follows:

Karson
Halpin
Nick
Keye
Beveridge
Reddington
Hunt
Bartup
Clark
White
Green

20 minutes or so passed with Norsemen arguably shading it, the best chance falling to White who put the ball wide from a difficult angle with the goal gaping. White's chance aside, an uneventful half picked up after a late challenge by Halpin 50 yards from goal led to an AP free kick. The ball was floated into the box causing little danger, Karsen called it but unfortunately got it wrong and the ball continued into the back of the net. 

Norsemen responded well enough to the setback and pulled level shortly after. A great run down the right handside from Reddington caused all sorts of problems for the oppo and was brought down in the box. Penalty. Danny Green stepped up confidently and despatched said penalty and it was game on. 1-1.
This didn't last too long however as AP re-took the lead after a scrappy encounter in the box lead to an Ally Park player losing his marker and slotting home at the far post. 2-1 AP Half Time.

Second half started and Norsemen didn't turn up. Consistently overrun with their number 10 causing a lot of problems, as did the right midfielder brought on at half time. Williams visibly still angry with his derisory accumulator failings, resorted to having verbal warfare with the ref without getting a single minute of game time. Amico come on and got clattered instantly, standard, with Lyte and Pett both entering the fray and performing well. Despite the changes we were still struggling to create too many chances, we knew if we got chances we needed to take them. With clear cut opportunities at a premium it would take something special to score, and with 15 minutes or so left Lee latched onto a pass from 25 yards and curled in a sublime equaliser of the highest echelon to send Norsemen into a massively premature celebration. It was probably undeserved but after getting back into the game, the message was clear. Keep it tight, nothing silly, and we can go on and win it. Barely a minute later Clark had the ball at halfway, passed to Lee, who passed it to someone else and so on. Problem was we were passing backwards and not very well, this resulted with Karsen passing to Pett into a dangerous area. Pett cleared only as far as the pressuring oppo. Any one of three could have scored and they duly accepted the gift.

A cracking through ball from Hunt late on left Green with a one on one to add a twist to this monumental encounter but the keeper did well and kept out the captain.

FT 2-3

A deserved defeat but after getting back into it only to be the masters of our own downfall made it hard to take. A league game at home next week is a must win if we have serious title aspirations.

Seeing as this was technically an away fixture, I am obliged to rate the showers, food and general hospitality.

Showers:
Poor. Pleasant enough to look at but as cold as a calippo. Resident expert Amico was particularly disgruntled in the bar after.

Food:
We didn't get any but Wilkesy absolutely demolished a sausage baguette so if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for anyone. 10/10!
MOTM:
Reddington

WALK TALL YOU BLUE LORDS!