A 12 goal cup thriller in the Junior league cup

Harvesters unbeaten run came to an end courtesy of a penalty shot-out in the Junior league cup 1st round, away to a spirited Alexander Park South side, in a repeat 1st round cup tie from last season's competition. Last time around this game marked the start of Harvesters' excellent cup run all the way to the semi-finals but it was not to be in a 12 goal thriller that had every type of drama except perhaps, a streaker!

My challenge, is to try and condense all the action of 12 goals and 10 penalties into a few paragraphs, so here goes!

It was dry, chilly with a light breeze and bright sunshine which shone directly from end to end and on the full size astro turf pitch in North FInchley. Archie decided to try and win the toss and put Harrison in shade for the 1st half. We knew a little bit at AP South from last season and their Mitoo stats showed that they had 1 major goal threat in the number 9 shirt (8 goals in 5 games) who was new to their team, so he was our target to shut down their attacks, whilst we had our own secret weapon for this game with the arrival of Fuad, fresh from boarding school half term break.

To summarise the 1st half, which only had 4 goals, it was a tale of these 2 'heavyweight' players slogging it out. AP South's number 9 was playing down their left and immediately caused our midfield and defense problems, with both pace and skill he forced an early corner when he found space in behind the defence which was converted with a strong header from an unmarked finisher. Fuad got us level a few minutes later with a strong run of his own into the host's box to drive home a low hard shot. Next up, the host's number 9 again ran riot and put in a speculative cross that seemed to hang in the air forever before amazingly looping into the back corner of the goal. Luck or skill, you decide. The half wasn't over though and George and Ollie combined brilliantly to put Max W in on goal, beating the offside trap with just the keeper to beat. He pushed the ball past the goalie for a tap in, when an outreached arm grabbed his legs and the striker went down in the box, which surely would have been a sending off in an adult game. The Ref, from his vantage point somewhere in the centre circle, decided that was a penalty which Fuad converted with a thumping finish. HT 2-2.

Now the fun starts, FIrst it was Harvesters who went ahead twice, 2-3 with a really well worked goal. First Josh, then Fuad and finally Max W combined to create and finish a great team goal, which was quickly undone when an underweighted back pass, set up the AP South number 9 for his 2nd of the game to draw level at 3-3. Again Harvesters pushed on and Fuad won and took another penalty after yet another cynical foul in the box to secure his hattrick. 3-4 to HFC.

Next up was number 9 again for Alexander Park, same side (left) same attack format, winning a corner which was converted with another powerful header, this time at the back post. 4-4. Game on. Now it was AP's turn to go ahead and this time it seemed that they had built an unassailable lead with 2 quick goals to put then 6-4. The first of these 2 goals was a goal-mouth scramble, the 2nd was a penalty, this time for handball given from some 30 yards away! Many of you will know that the rules about handball have recently changed to avoid the 'ball onto hand' scenario seen frequently in the first few weeks of the Premier League, but the spot kick was given regardless and soundly converted.

At this point, with 5 minutes to go, you might be forgiven for thinking that the game was over, but Harvesters weren't listening and the 'never give up' attitude shone through brightly. First it was yet another penalty, this time it was won by Jack bursting into the box on the right and he went down under a late tackle and up stepped Fuad for his 4th goal of the game. 6-5. Alexander Park were under huge pressure for the last few minutes and work incredibly hard to resist conceding a late leveler, but as Archie made space on the edge of the box, he fed a searching ball through the AP defence and there was Charlie, just in time to slot home from close range. 6-6 and the end of normal time.

Everyone took a breath and the Ref prepared to go home, not yet realising that this was a cup game. Extra time beckoned .

Unbelievably, 20 more minutes didn't generate any more goals and despite their superior squad size and dominating play, Harvesters couldn't break down the AP South defence, and so it was time for the cruelest of finishes. Penalties.
Suffice to say, the game was finally settled in favour of Alexander Park after 5 perfect penalties compared to Harvesters' 4, and last season's semi-finalists were out.