4 December 2013

 

It has all gone a bit cup crazy lately at Village Manchester with both clubs taking part in two cups each.

 

by Rob McPherson

 

The first team took part in the FA County Cup for the first time in the club's history this season. Following a close fought game which ended one all, some penalty heroics from our American shot-stopper Jeremy Baker (he saved four out of the opposition's five penalties!) saw the club emerge victorious against Stretford Victoria in the first round. The team faced tough competition in the second round from GCJT and were unfortunately knocked out courtesy of a 6-1 defeat.

 

The team also suffered cup heartache in the Handi-Cup when they lost to Vida in their first game of December. They were already two goals down due to the rules of the competition (teams from the lower division get a two goal head start) and lost 3-1 on the day making it 5-1 overall.

 

The second team are again taking part in the GFSN Cup. Following an 8-1 hammering of Newcastle Panthers in October, the club traveled to the North East where they faced Leicester Wildcats in the Quarter Final. A closely fought game - with Village Manchester equalising with five minutes to go - saw the match head to penalties. Village's five penalty takers all found the back of the net and Baker was again the hero as he saved Leicester's final spot kick.

 

The team have been drawn at home against Hotscots in the semi-final in a game that will be played in March 2014. 

 

The team are also playing in the Manchester City Central League Cup for the first ever time. They face Real Mancs FC in a two legged tie taking place on 8 and 15 December.

 

The two teams faced each other in the opening weekend of the league campaign and Village Manchester ran out 5-3 winners. Village will be hoping to put in two good performances to see off their opposition and the winner will face either Audenshaw FC or SG Manchester as the draw for the next round has already been made.

 

With four cup competitions and two league campaigns to take part in, the club will be hoping to add some silverware to the IGFLA European title they won in Dublin over the summer.