READING EVENING POST SENIOR CUP

SEMI FINAL 

UNITED STAGGER BACK TO THE MADEJSKI

FRILSHAM - 1 MARLOW UNITED - 1 (AET)<

(Marlow won 7-6 on penalties)

Not for the first time in this competition United struggled to break down lower league opposition and for the second time relied on a penalty shoot out to see them through as they faced a brave and determined Frilsham team hell bent on keeping Marlow at bay and this was achieved largely due to a man of the match performance from Damion Scurr in the Frilsham goal who made three stunning saves to keep his team on track. Manager Carvell rang the changes resting Crawford, Pedley, Bowler, Wiltshire and skipper Tristan Heywood, mindful of what will be United's third consecutive Reading Senior Cup Final just two days away. although Carvell's plans had already been disrupted due to the necessary late rescheduling of this match as he fell foul of a long planned stag weekend involving key players.

With a warm sun at their backs Frilsham kicked off showing their intentions from the first minute as a  ball swept back to  Dave Wheeler was immediately hit long and high in the general direction of their Frilsham's top goal scorer Greenham but United's Adam North and Matt Flint immediately closed the threat down which was to typify much of the afternoon.

On 4 minutes what many may have assumed to be inevitable occurred as Sciaraffa collected the ball on the left sliding an inch perfect pass into  Buchanan, Buchanan twisted past Tingle in midfield and found Brown. Lewis Brown drove into the box to fire the ball past 'keeper Scurr to give United the perfect start.

If anyone thought that United would predictably go on and take the game out of sight then they were wrong as Frilsham summoned even more effort and on 19 minutes found themselves level when Wright found Foster who coolly slotted home to the delight of the Frilsham contingent.

However United appeared unruffled and in the 27th minute United attacked down the right flank and a curling cross field ball was clearly handled by a Frilsham defender and the sharp eyed linesman immediately signalled for a penalty. Chris Rowley strode up only to see his effort rebound off the bar and a great opportunity to take a grip on the match was gone.

Much of the remainder of the first half set the tone for the rest of the match as United although dominating were struggling to find the final killer ball as the Frilsham defence refused to concede space.

HT 1-1

The second half saw United applying more urgency and as early as the 47th minute they appeared to have got the break through when Buchanan's surge into the box resulted in a fierce shot that was parried by Scurr in the Frilsham goal and Buchanan himself was on hand to follow through but his effort was met by an astounding save at the far post when it seemed he must score.

Following this Frilsham enjoyed their best moments of the match but they could not match their enormous effort with guile and United's back four coped comfortably to extinguish  the threat. However United's much feared threesome of Callum Coull, James Flint and Lewis Brown were struggling to free themselves form the Frilsham shackles which was further hindered by a difficult and uneven pitch and the normal cohesion and zip was visibly missing from their game but on 59 minutes a snap shot that appeared goal bound from James Flint was somehow turned around the post by Scurr as he valiantly defended the Frilsham goal.

It was not all one way traffic however as Cooper had to be alert from to the long ball and in the 75th minute he was forced to save sharply at the feet of Collins. With Brown struggling with a thigh injury Carvell released Rino Sepede into the fray and Sepede made an instant impact holding the ball up at crucial times providing the time for United's midfield to add impetus to the attack and on 85 minutes another close range effort almost sealed the match but again Scurr was equal to it.

On 89 minutes United faced a nervous free kick just outside their own box but Frilsham squandered the opportunity as Tingles effort flew over the bar.

FT 1-1

Extra time saw no sign of a breakthrough although Frilsham visibly tired battled gamely to keep United at bay.

Filmore replaced Middleton and United while on top could not provide the killer blow and the game ended with the drama of a penalty shoot out to decide who would be going to the Madejski. It appeared a shock could be on the cards as United missed their first penalty and Frilsham took an early lead but things evened out before Adam North stepped up to fire Marlow into their third consecutive Reading Senior Cup Final where they will meet newly crowned Reading Football League Champions Westwood United, which pleased Manager Kevin Carvell no end and he said " Its a mystery to me how we have struggled against opposition we are expected to beat easily in both the league and this competition but we know that we will have to produce a performance against Westwood and I believe that is when we are at our most deadly and I look forward to ending this clubs Madejski jinx on Tuesday evening"

Carvell's decision to rest key players was eventually justified albeit just! With a couple of injuries picked up in this match he has to be pleased to be able to pull in several key players to strengthen his squad for what should be a titanic battle on Tuesday evening. Frilsham walked away from the match with their heads held justifiable high and they can be pleased to have taken a club three levels higher than them to a penalty shoot out.

Team: Cooper, Sciaraffa, Flint M, North, Flint O, Coull, Buchanan, Middleton, Rowley, Flint J, Brown Subs used Sepede for Brown, Filmore for Middleton.

Cooper                                6        Comfortable match for Coop's

Sciaraffa                               7        Experience always shows

North                                   6        Stood tall to fire home the winning penalty

Flint   M                               6        Always gives everything for the cause

Flint O                                  6        Came into his own as the game progressed

Coull                                     6        Quiet match for Callum will be happier on the Madejski surface.

Buchanan                              6        Doug has grown into the team, strong and reliable.

Middleton                             6        Took an early clatter and struggled following this.

Rowley                                 6        Redeemed himself in the shoot out.

Flint J                                   6        Not the surface for Jimbo but as ever ran all day.

Brown                                  6        Lewis has been a great discovery for United and took his goal well

Sepede for Brown                6        United need a fully fit Rino

Filmore for Middleton           6        Benno always gives his all

 MOM

Marco Sciaraffa