Round
5 of Group C kicked off with Patagonia versus
PVDC Eindhoven. Patagonia were top of the table
courtesy of head-to-head results against Black
Sheep (as goal difference between the two was
identical). They needed just a point to secure
their place in the Cup. They had to better the
result of the Black Sheep to win Group C.
PVDC
Eindhoven were currently in fifth position but
could rise to third with a victory here. They
were level on points with FK Aliance (fourth)
so they needed to better the Latvians result
to climb into the Plate qualification places.
If not, the Trophy awaited them.
We
were treated to a great game to completed each
team's group campaign. It was Patagonia who
struck first through Milo Huelpa. At half-time,
it was 1-0 and it looked like the game could
be going with form. PVDC Eindhoven came back
into it though through Matty Armstrong after
the break to make it 1-1. Patagonia restored
their lead with Juan making it 2-1. PVDC Eindhoven
could not be shaken off though as they hit back
for a second time. Nathan Foster credited with
the goal.
The
game would not end level though. Juan popped
up with a later winner to take all 3 points
for his team. Final score, 3-2.
The
next game on Campo C was Black Sheep versus Paralytic
Athletic U23s. Black Sheep had begun with 3 successive
wins but just tasted defeat for the first time
– could they respond? If they could they would
secure their place in the Cup. They only needed
a point to qualify. To win Group C, they needed
to win by 2 or more. Alternatively, a 1 goal win
would do it if it was 4-3 or higher.
From
a Paralytic Athletic U23s perspective, they could
go level with their opponents with a win. They
needed a 4 goal win to swing goal difference into
their favour though and reach the Cup. Any other
result would see them go into the Plate.
The
first half was a low-scoring one which favoured
the Black Sheep in terms of Cup qualification,
it finished 0-0. If Black Sheep had ambitions
of winning the group they needed a couple of goals
although getting through to the next stage was
surely the priority. They kept it tight at the
back and with each passing minute the English
team's hopes of reaching the Cup faded. Ultimately
the game finished 0-0 – just the third stalemate
in the tournament so far.
14
games completed, 1 more to play. That game was
RAF Fylingdales versus FK Aliance. So far we knew
Patagonia and Black Sheep had qualified for the
Cup, Paralytic Athletic U23s had qualified for
the Plate and PVDC Eindhoven for the Trophy. The
winner of this game would join Paralytic Athletic
U23s in the Plate, a draw would see FK Aliance
achieve that goal. Defeat would mean the Trophy.
We
were treated to a 9 goal thriller. Kristaps Tavlavicus
got us under way with the first goal of the game
although that was cancelled out by Philip Bright.
The Latvians were back in front thanks to Janis
Kleperis. An Edgar Polkovs goal made it 3-1 at
half-time.
In
the second half FK Aliance eased away from their
opponents with Edgar Polkovs on target again.
Kristaps Tavlavicus made it 5-1 before Ainars
Berzins scored for 6-1. Jim Williams reduced the
deficit to 6-2 but the lead was five again as
Janis Kleperis scored his second of the match
to seal a fine 7-2 win.
There
was no doubt that FK Aliance would be going through
to the Plate. They finished in third in the end
courtesy of goal difference so the margin of victory
here certainly helped.
