Craig Lairds cup semi final write up

[pecker]

1st SEMI FINAL
AN Alban Martini 2nd half hat trick has helped Salisbury Inter to a thrilling 5-3 win over Old Ignatians in their Challenge Cup Semi Final clash at the Paddocks.
Inter have a proud Cup history having won the trophy on nine occasions while their Saturday division 2 opponents were looking to make the clubs first cup final.
Old Iggies took a shock lead on the half hour when James Buccella let loose with a wonder strike from 25 yards to the delight of the big crowd.
The lead was short lived thanks to a Daniel Roadley cross that found Marcus Marchioro who bundled a header over the line.
Inter started the 2nd half in fine style when Andy McConnell picked his spot with a fine strike on 50 minutes but Iggies struck back on 52 minutes when Peter Barone played in Nick Barbieri who finished coolly.
Inter were back in front on 57 minutes when Matt Centrone played in Martini who fired the ball home.
Martini was at it again on 64 minutes when he got on the end of a Roadley ball before sliding the ball home and on 72 minutes he struck again when Andrew Butler played him in to secure his 3rd goal in 15 minutes.
Old Iggies grabbed a consolation through Adrian Parrella but it was too little too late as Inter qualified for a record twelfth Cup Final.
Old Iggies Coach Dan Rossi “It’s the clubs first Cup semi-final and I thought the boys handled it well. We just seemed to run out of legs a little in the 2nd half.”

2nd SEMI FINAL
THE League and Cup double remains alive for Brahma Lodge after a hard fought 2-1 Challenge Cup semi-final win over Parafield Gardens at the Paddocks.
Both sides met last week in the league with Lodge cruising to a 6-0 win but it was evident from the start that a stronger looking Gardens were up for the fight.
After an even first half hour Brahma struck when a Matthew Bekirovski cross wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to predator Robbie MacDonald who surely hasn’t scored an easier tap in this season.
Callum Ebert reminded Brahma that Gardens were in the game with a long range effort that went just wide and two minutes from time Gardens keeper Anthony Stam produced a fine save to deny a fine Jay Crescenzi shot.
After the break Gardens started to push forward but on 53 minutes Stam again needed to be at his best to save a MacDonald free kick.
A Crescenzi corner alluded all in the box before cannoning into the back post as Parafield dodged a bullet.
Gardens were hoping for a way back into the game and it came on 85 minutes when a cross into the box was headed down by substitute Lumi Adisa but Simon Catanzaro could only scuff his shot wide.
With a minute of normal time remaining Lodge broke down the field and play maker Chad Bugeja sealed the game with a cool finish to the delight of the Brahma faithful.
Parafield refused to give in and Catanzaro fired home from close range in stoppage time but time ran out as Lodge moved through to the clubs first Cup Final in their history.
Lodge Coach Ryan Mogg “We weren’t great today but we got through.” On next week’s opponent “Inter are probably the best team we’ve played this year so it promises to be a great cup final.”

[Gabon]

Quality write ups by Craig Laird each week which i'm sure most in the premier league appreciate.

Any clubs keen on showing our appreciation by chipping in to get him something to show our appreciation?