WILTSHIRE SUNDAY CUP: Holders limp through to quarter-finals (From Wiltshire Times)

WILTSHIRE SUNDAY CUP: Holders limp through to quarter-finals

5:00pm Monday 7th January 2013 in Sport

WILTSHIRE Sunday Cup holders FC Jager limped through to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition after a thrilling game at The Beeches, where they eventually beat Swindon League Division one side Rodbourne FC 4-1 on penalties after the sides had shared 10 goals in the previous 120 minutes.

On a dire pitch, it was never going to be a pretty game of football and from the off, it looked like being a battle rather than a free flowing game.

It was the Swindon top flight team-Rodbourne who took the lead 10 minutes into the game.

A fantastic ball into the box wasn't dealt with by the Jager defence and the Rodbourne striker poked the ball home for 1-0.

Jager sprang into life and didn't have to wait too long to draw level.  Nick Ridout engineered a chance for himself on the edge of the box and he finished well into the bottom corner for 1-1.

And within minutes Jager were 2-1 up. Nick Ridout again doing well to force his way through several defenders and his shot from an angle hit the post and left Mike Perrott with a simple tap-in.

The game swung massively in Jager's favour when Rodbourne were reduced to 10 men following a professional foul and in doing so conceding a penalty. Nick Ridout stepped up and the normally reliable penalty takers shot hit the post and went wide.

But moments later Jäger were 3-1 up anyway when captain Mike Hopkins capitalised on a poor clearance and finished well from distance.

The second half saw manager Barry Holloway maintain his policy of bringing all of his substitutes on early - a decision that later on would prove costly.

Midway through the half, keeper Dave Butler parried a harmless shot right into the path of the Rodbourne striker who was left with a simple finish for 3-2 and the Swindon side were suddenly back into the game.

And things got worse for Jager as Sayeed Ibrahim picked up an ankle injury and with all of Jager's subs used, both sides were now down to 10 men.

With Rodbourne sensing blood, with 10 minutes remaining, they scored a sensational equaliser with a scorcher from 25 yards that flew past the helpless Dave Butler in goal. With the score at 3-3, the game was now going into extra time.

With Rodbourne in the ascendency, there looked only one winner going into the extra 30 minutes. And sure enough, Rodbourne soon took the lead for 4-3.

The game seemed wrapped up when Dave Butler got a hand on a dipping long shot but not enough and the ball dropped in for 5-3.

But as Jäger have proved already this season, they are never out of a game completely and they were handed a huge lifeline on the stroke of half time of extra time.

A fantastic cross from Ashley Groves landed right on the head of Lee Fielding who couldn't miss his header, such was the accuracy of Groves' cross for 5-4.

The second half swung the way of Jager who took control of this amazing game and they fashioned out a remarkable equaliser when another Ashley Groves cross (from a free kick) was flicked on cleverly by Mike Hopkins for a rare headed goal.

With the score at 5-5, it was now Jager sensing blood and they really should have taken the lead with five minutes remaining. Following a goal mouth scramble, substitute Dan Moore somehow managed to miss from eight yards when it seemed easier to score.

Dan Moore, Ashley Groves and Kai Miller stepped up and converted Jager's first three penalties in the shootout. Rodbourne missed their first and third penalties, Dave Butler saving the third down to his right, leaving veteran-Dave Clayton the chance to relive his youth and make himself a hero.

His immense experience proved invaluable, as he calmly side footed home to send the Jager faithful wild.

Jager will now face Swindon league leaders New Century WMC at the start of February in what will be a massive test for the current holders of the trophy as the look to join fellow top flight sides Biddestone Social and AFC Melksham in the last four.

Fortune Inn 0 AFC Melksham 5

AFC MELKSHAM were the first side to book their place in the semi-finals, claiming a comfortable win against fellow Chippenham League side Fortune Inn at Stanley Park's 3G pitch.

With three goals coming in the final 10 minutes the result wasn’t as clear cut as it should have been. 

Melksham, who dominated the tie, took the lead on five minutes when Jordan Kirk crossed to Tom Robinson who swept the ball home from the edge of the box to make it 1-0.

The home team then put together some neat passing moves that made their top flight guests work hard for the next 20 minutes until the superb Dave Macey stepped up a gear and dominated the rest of the game from the centre of the park.

He turned in a breat taking performance that allowed the visitors to have large periods of possession against a hard working robust Fortune side.

When Fortune did attack they found Matt Cooper and Ethan Cox solid and on top form with keeper Nick Dibden looking top draw with clean handling against a solid forward line who despite being good in the air were contained to no clear cut shots for the whole game.

Coming out after the break Josh Robinson scored a lovely left footed volley to make it 2-0 on 56 minutes against the Fortune man of the match keeper Dei Llewellyn, who had been in supurb form, saving from all areas to keep the home team in the game .

With the game under control, Mike Rogers used three subs on the hour mark and brought on Matt Sharp, Aaron Wiltshire and Mike Hill to replace the excellent Brad Partner, Chris Rogers and Brett Partner and despite a very spirited effort from Fortune fitness told as Jordan Kirk added a brace on 84  and 88 minutes with Tom Robinson slotting his second in between on 86 minutes.

Biddestone Social 3 The Running Horse 2

PREMIER Division leaders, Biddestone Social entertained Swindon League fourth division side The Running Horse and although they booked their place in the last four, their 3-2 win was a lot closer than they would have expected as they looked to put a marker down in the competition.

Biddestone fell behind on two minutes, but were level on 16 when Martin Johnson scored from six yards after the Horse keeper had spilled a Nathan Phillimore shot.

Three minutes later Biddestone were ahead, Johnson played in Tyler Sibbick who shot across the keeper nestled in the net for 2-1.

As they did in the first half, Running Horse flew out of the stalls in the second half and were on level terms inside the opening minute.

Biddestone had the chance to regain the lead on 57 minutes, but Tyler Sibbick sent a penalty wide of the target, however his blushes were spared a minute later when Jamie Lyons saw his 20 yards shot go through the keeper for what proved to be Biddestone’s winner.

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