Casuals and Pelham knocked out the on paper favourites in the Interdivisional cup after beating QPR 3-2 at home. Pelham looked refreshed after having a weekends break last week and started the stronger of the two sides. Although Pelham dominated the majority of the ball in the first fifteen/twenty minutes, neither team created too many chances. Pelham continued to see a lot of the ball and slowly grew into the game more and more, and after a quiet first twenty minutes, the home side started to see a bit more of the QPR goal. Pelham soon started to test the opposition keeper and would have took the lead earlier from a James Bosher header if it wasn't for a great save from the QPR goalkeeper. However it wasn't long after that Pelham found themselves in a similar situation as a Gavin Brace corner found the head of James Bosher who powered home to make it 1-0. Pelham continued to dominate the ball and started to create more and more, it was only a matter of time before the lead was doubled. The second goal for the home side came on 42 minutes from a terrific solo effort. As the home side defended a corner the ball was picked up by Sam Kellow on the edge of his own box. Seeing he had space ahead of him, he took it on himself and hit QPR on the break. With dummy runs from Tim Shaw and Dan Arran taking the defenders away, Kellow decided to go the whole way on his own and advanced into a one on one situation with the keeper and slotted past him. Pelham saw out the remaining few minutes to go into the break with a 2-0 lead. The second half started in similar fashion with Pelham dominating the play and creating the majority of chances. Both sides knew the next goal would be vital, but it seemed like the home side wanted it that little bit more. However as legs started to tire and changes were made, the away side started to create their first real chances on the hour mark, and crept back into the game. But it was the home side that got the next vital goal, in similar fashion to the first with a powerful header from James Bosher finding the back of the net. QPR started to relax into the game and it was after that third goal against them that they finally got hold of the ball more but without creating anything too clear cut. However with a minute left they were handed a life line as Cain Robinson was caught in possession and QPR broke down the left hand side, drilling in a low hard cross which an unfortunate Paul Knight put into his own net (beautifully may I add). QPR had a new lease of life after that goal went in and made it into a nervous finish for the home side as they caught them again once they were vulnerable. Another Pelham mistake and lapse of concentration a minute later on 90 minutes gave the away side a second goal to make it 3-2 and that deserved clean sheet was given away by the home side. However with 20 seconds left on the clock it was too little too late as the full time whistle was blown. A great performance today lads against the on paper favourites for this cup and a team that looks set to win the league we will be playing in next season. It was a good test for us to see how we will potentially do next season and if we play like we did for the first 80 minutes we will be absolutely fine. Shame it finished how it did and we didnt get the clean sheet we deserved but it was through two faults of our own. However a good win against a good opponent and we turn our attention to next weeks league cup semi final against Sawbridgeworth Town FC. Micks man of the match this week goes to Sam Kellow who had another stormer at centre back and topped his performance off with a great solo goal. However with two goals himself Mick wanted to give James Bosher a special mention in a close second place for the award. Also I would like to give a special mention to Paul Knight who with his one goal which was finished superbly in the game is surely placed in a close third. Good win and onto next week lads. COYCAP.
