Clapham Alexandra survived a huge scare before drawing one of the most entertaining Central London Super Cup games of recent times to seal their place in the next round and book a tie against Championship leaders FC Junction.
The Alex started well – passing the ball with a swagger and confidence that had built up from winning their opening three league games. And as the passing and moving flowed between the team, Ron the ref got in on the act and awarded a somewhat dubious penalty which the in-form Jamie Ferguson failed to convert.
This stirred the Ladz and they started to get the ball down and play but a quick breakaway from The Alex led to Jamie making amends for his earlier miss to rifle the ball from the edge of the box past the diving goalkeeper. 1-0 Alex.
The goal acted as a huge wake up goal to a Ladzio team seeking revenge for their 5-1 thrashing on the opening day of the season. They stormed forwards with pace and the Alex’s makeshift defence were coming under increasing pressure – pressure which eventually told as the Ladz netted a classy equaliser. 1-1
The goal knocked The Alex and they trudged off at half time with the scores level at 1-1. But this was just the start - Ladzio were looking fired up and continued to press after the break and got their just rewards when stand in Olly fumbled another through ball to their striker who looped a shot in for Lazio to take the lead. 2-1.
The huge intensity of match led to it getting stretched which played into Tuts, Tiahan, Daisy and Alcott’s hands. The extra time on the ball led to the midfielders picking passes for fun and creating chances for the ever reliable Goodman and Mantell. An Alex corner on 65 minutes led to the equaliser – an exquisite cross by Alcott found Daisy at the back post who headed back for Goodman to tap in. 2-2.
Back came Ladzio, and another couple of goalkeeper errors led to a quick fire double for the Ladz. 4-2.
The Alex though were determined to preserve their unbeaten start and came roaring back. Jamie twinkle toed his way past a couple of challenges to lay the ball into the path of Daisy to fizz the ball past the goalkeepers reach; 4-3. And with just 2 minutes on the clock another pinpoint corner from Alcott led to Jamie meeting it with aplomb to grab a deserved Alex equaliser. 4-4.
Suddenly it was only the home supporters who could be heard and with just seconds on the clock – Goodman twisted and turned past 3 defenders only to see his shot saved by the on rushing ‘keeper. The chance went and the ref blew to call time on a match to remember.
