Casuals and Pelham made sure that the semi final exit from last week in the league cup was not going to affect their ambitions to reach the inter-divisional cup final by beating Brewers 5-2 away from home in the quarter finals. Pelham were looking to bounce back after the narrow disappointing defeat to Sawbridgeworth Town and that defeat seemed to still have an affect on the away side. Pelham started the game very slowly and without getting hold of the ball at all. Brewers took full advantage of that and put together some nice passages of play, carving out some early chances. Pelham finally started to put some passes together after being dominated in the first 20 minutes and just hoofing long hopeless balls forward. However it wasn't enough and the away side were only playing at half of what they are capable of. Brewers deservedly took the lead on 28 minutes after they started to break through more and more. Pelham were too slow getting out from a corner and Brewers found themselves with two men unmarked in the box, and it only took one of them to slot the ball home. Pelham needed a reaction after that goal and although it wasn't a great reaction they again slowly started to build into the game and finally started to string some passes together and create chances. The two sides played out the last 15 minutes of the first half and as the pitch started to carve up, it became tougher for either team to create anything of any significance. The teams went in at the half at 1-0 to Brewers, and it could have been a different story if it wasn't for a string of fine saves from the home sides keeper against Tim Shaw who helped his team out on numerous occasions. Pelham knew they needed to up their game second half otherwise they would be suffering another cup exit for the second week in a row. They did that in the second half, starting much stronger and using the small amount of grass that was left on the wings rather then playing down the middle all game. Pelham struck back after some good pressure on the back four from Tim Shaw, who knicked the ball of Brewers centre back and squared to Dan Arran who tapped home into an empty net, making it 1-1 on the 49 minute mark. That early goal gave Pelham the confidence boost they needed and they doubled their tally on 54 minutes with Dan Arran returning the favour and setting up Tim Shaw to slot home. Pelham started to look the better team for the first time in the game but were pegged back against the run of play 4 minutes later with the Brewers striker darting in late at the back post to slot home into an empty net. With the game squared at 2-2 both teams knew the next goal would be vital and it was the away side who looked the more likely of the two to get it. That goal finally came on 66 minutes as Tim Shaw saw the ran of Dan Boyce into the box and once he finally got the ball out of his feet, slotted home past the on-rushing keeper. Pelham were desperate to hold onto their lead and increased the tempo of their play, holding onto the ball a lot better and giving Brewers nothing. They got a bit of breathing space as Tim Shaw scored his second of the game on 78 minutes to make it 4-2 to the away side. Finally after missing what looked to be an easy 1 on 1 with the keeper moments earlier, Dan Arran bagged his second of the game after it looked as though he had gone to wide but managed to chip the ball over the top of the keeper. The final 5 minutes of the game were played out and Pelhams dominance in the second half was rewarded with a 5-2 scoreline. A good win to bounce back from the disappointment of last week and fully deserved on the basis of the second half performance. That now needs to be carried over into next weeks semi final and let's get some silverware that we deserve after having a great season. Micks man of the match was a tough one this week and was decided on assists. Mick wanted to give special mentions to Sam Kellow, Dan Arran, Dan Boyce and Gavin Brace, but with two goals and two assists the award once again goes to Tim Shaw. Great win boys and on to next weeks semi final, let's avenge our defeat from last week and make sure we reach the final.
