Chernobyl and Cosmos in the final

THE ASSOCIATION Cup semi-finals in works league football saw Chernobyl and Cosmos making it through. Chernobyl snatched victory against a tremendous Banks team, coming from behind to snatch a winner two minutes from the end of extra time. Cosmos overcame DITT Cup winners Wrultizers to give themselves the chance of adding a cup to their league trophy.

In the Northwards Shetland League Malakoff convincingly beat a jaded Banks, Wrultizers gave themselves a chance of finishing in fourth spot when they beat understrength rivals Chernobyl, and in the battle of the new boys Wast Linga Ramblers made it an amazing league double when they beat Mossbank.

Association Cup
Chernobyl 3, Banks 2
(after extra time)

With a final berth up for grabs Banks elected to play five in midfield and this worked well as Chernobyl’s creative players were nullified allowing Banks to dominate the early proceedings. They nearly took the lead when Ryan Mustard broke clear only to be denied by an alert Andy Thomson in the Chernobyl goal.

Chernobyl, despite their disjointed display, did create some chances and took the lead against the run of play when Sammy Sjoberg raced in at the far post to knock home a low cross from David Smith.

The hoops’ recent injury jinx struck again midway through the half when Craig Duncan suffered a ruptured achilles, to not only end his game but also his season.

Chernobyl continued to be frustrated by Banks’ inspired football and they were duly punished on the stroke of half time when veteran Stan Semple converted from the spot after a Sjoberg hand ball.

The second period followed a similar pattern with Banks creating havoc, while keeper Richard Polson and the superb back three of Bernie Boyle, Jerry Edwards and Marc Henry denied the hoops when they did break forward. Banks deservedly took the lead when Mustard capitalised on a mix-up between Andy Law and his keeper to walk the ball over the line.

With one foot in the final Banks defended their lead with ease as the Chernobyl attacks became increasingly desperate. However, with under 10 minutes remaining Chernobyl were handed a lifeline from the penalty spot, with David Smith hitting the roof of the net after a needless foul on Jason Shaw.

Chances came and went at both ends during extra time as both sides pressed for the winner. With two minutes remaining keeper Polson looked to have ensured the dreaded penalty shoot out when he dived full length to turn a Sjoberg shot round the post. However, Magnus Malcolmson curled the resultant corner into a crowded area and in the ensuing chaos Robert Wright managed to bundle the ball home to consign Banks to an undeserved defeat.

Chernobyl will be ecstatic at reaching the final, while Banks will be inconsolable after by far their best performance of the season resulted in heartache.

Cosmos 7, Wurlitizers 3

Newly-crowned league winners Cosmos started at a high tempo, scoring after two minutes through Mick Davies.

Tizers quickly replied through Danny Carter with a scramble in the box.

Three further goals followed by Cosmos before half time through a well-taken effort by Thomas Sinclair and Davies with two more to complete his hat trick.

Tizers were on the score sheet right at the start of the second half with a good finish by Carter.

Cosmos were playing some good football which resulted in a Sinclair shot deflecting off Alan Smith’s head for an own goal and Davies rifling in a shot which came off a defender’s head into the net.

Tizers were throwing most bodies forward to try and get something out of the game and Carter got his hat trick when finishing off a fine move.

Right from the kick off Kenny Saunders dribbled past two players and played an inch-perfect pass to Sinclair who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper for a well-taken goal.

Northwards League
Banks 0, Malakoff 6

Banks nearly took the lead when Craig Spowart flicked one of the corners towards goal and Derek Duncan was relieved to see the ball strike the bar and be cleared to safety.

The let off got the shipchandlers into action and they were soon one up following some good pressure. A Michael Gardner corner was cleared as far as Alan Baptie who struck the ball on the half-volley towards the head of Derek Moar who made no mistake with a diving header.

More good play put Malakoff two up soon after when a quick James Manson free kick found the feet of the pacey Michael Gardner who went one-on-one with the Banks’ keeper and finished at the second attempt.

The boatbuilders added a third when Steven Leckie superbly crossed for Moar to head his second and the Malakoff’s third.

The second half started and it was soon 4-0 when Richie Gardner found space on the right and hit a 25-yard drive into the top corner for his annual cracker.

The fifth arrived when young substitute Thorfinn Craigie found space on the right wing to fire in a deep cross which beat everyone, including the unlucky Richard Polson in the Banks goal.

Craigie’s second and Malakoff’s sixth came when he made room for himself on the left, looked up and struck the ball into the roof of the net from range.

Malakoff were best served by Ross Herculson, Rorie Binns and Michael Gardner while at the other end Ryan Mustard performed well for Banks.

Chernobyl 0, Wrultizers 4

No report was receieved.

Wast Linga Ramblers 2, Mossbank 1

Ramblers took the lead midway through the first half with a well-worked goal from midfield releasing Tammy Stewart who finished well from the corner of the box.

They soon increased the tally with a very well-executed finish from Gary Leask, who controlled the ball, flicked it over the defender and calmly lobbed the keeper. In all fairness Ramblers could have been four up with the woodwork being rattled twice.

Most of the second half was played in the Ramblers’ half with Mossbank trying hard for a goal but the Ramblers were standing firm.

Mossbank finally got on the score sheet with 15 minutes to go when Danny Graham fired in a swerving dipping shot from about 25 yard that flew in under the bar.

The last 10 minutes were backs to the wall for Ramblers as Mossbank threw everything at them but Ramblers held on to do the double over their fellow works league new boys.