Houghton Regis 2 – Caldecote 2

This sunny Sunday saw a clash of two teams who have started the season in good form.  Houghton started brightly and twice Caldecote had to clear the ball off their own goal line. Caldecote responded with a series of dangerous corners which only needed a touch to open the scoring, but it was not to be.  As the half went on Caldecote looked the most likely to score as they played some good determined football.  Ali and Ben worked hard to break up the Houghton attacks, Ben went close with a good shot and Mikey was a constant threat down the left.  Just as it seemed the first half would end all square Houghton broke down the left and scored with an angled shot. The second half was end-to-end attacks.  Caldecote pushed for an equaliser with Mikey and Coopes shooting close and Sam just missing with a header, but the goal when it came was an own goal.  Ash, with a good turn, saw his shot blocked by the keeper, he got onto the rebound and crossed into the six yard box and the ball went into the net off a defender.  Caldecote’s second came when a free kick sailed over the defence and Ash raced in and scored with a well controlled volley.  Houghton’s response was immediate, the shot giving Marcus no chance.  Houghton now had a spell on top and only some good saves from Marcus kept Caldecote in the game, a one handed reaction save in particular was outstanding.  Both teams had chances to win the match, with Mikey coming closest when he hit the bar but in the end a draw seemed a fair result.   Man of the match was Mikey.

Caldecote 3 - Westoning 4

 This was Caldecote's first venture  into the County Cup Competition and they were up against a team from a higher division, who were very confident of walking over the home side.  This fired up Caldecote who were on top from the start and soon went into the lead through a pin point free kick from Broomie, to Michael, who scored from close ranks.  Westoning fought back and scored a few minutes later.  Caldecote finished the half well with efforts from Sam and Mikey, and were unlucky to go in at 1 - 1. The second half began with a solo run from Sam, who slid the ball in for Ash to open up a 2 - 1 lead.  Westoning continued to press against Coops, Alfie, Broomie and Alistair, but when they did get through, they were faced with Marcus, who pulled off some great saves.  Westoning did eventually scramble in an equaliser after a defensive mix up.  This fired up Caldecote to take the lead again, after a mistake from the Westoning goalie, allowed Ash to score his 2nd goal, and Caldecote's 3rd.  Once again Caldecote gave away the lead, and Westoning equalised, after their forward clashed with Marcus leaving him on the floor, and another of their players slotted into an empty net. With only a few minutes to go, Westoning scored the winner to go through to the next round. Man of the Match - Sam for precision passing, and continued attacks.