THE DRAMATIC 2013 COVENTRY CHARITY CUP SEMI-FINAL AT SPHINX DRIVE: ALVIS 3-2 SOUTHAM UNITED (AET)...

Rockin’ Alvis Break Southam’s Wooden Hearts…

Alvis 3 Southam United 2

(a.e.t. Coventry Charity Cup semi-final, 2013)

A fine winning goal by Alvis replacement Cooke in extra-time at Coventry Sphinx’s ground left Southam rueing missed chances and a disallowed goal in this Charity Cup semi-final. The rather harassed referee may have missed two penalty decisions too, one for each team and one of his assistants seemed content to wallow in indecisiveness as spectators and coaches alike bellowed curses at his ineffectiveness. The game, however, was entirely absorbing, ebbing and flowing without quite reaching the heights of knee-shaking excitement. Alvis netted from two free-kicks, the second of which was in the 93^rd minute but just as victory celebrations simmered within their players, Southam’s Tomczak turned in a 94^th minute equaliser. Cooke’s winner though was sublime and despite periods of defending during the two hours, Alvis probably just about deserved to go through to the Final.

Alvis had been looking the more threatening early in the match, especially in midfield with Maguire outstanding and with Calvin Thompson and Evans passing the ball astutely. Martin Thompson and Cole in the Saints’ defence, were straining to hold their adversaries but despite some eager play by Passey, Southam were struggling to grasp the ascendancy.    

A smart second period run by Evans for Alvis was halted by Passey clipping his heels and from the free-kick, Southam’s defensive wall collapsed like River Severn flood defences to hand Alvis a deserved lead. Suffo took the 21 yard free-kick, struck it low at Passey and Gaggini in the Saints’ defensive wall but Gaggini turned evasively and the ball, wouldn’t you just know it, rattled through the gap and beat Manuel, although the ‘keeper threw himself to his right in vain and couldn’t take any blame at all.

SUFFO (10) PREPARES TO SCORE...

Incredibly, after Murphy might have earned a penalty, following a challenge by Alvis defender Whailing, which brought on howls and, er, wailing from the Southam bench, the Saints equalised with a goal of such simplicity, one wondered why they had laboured previously. Smith slipped substitute Leaver into a delivery position on the left side of the penalty-area and the resulting cross was excellent, beat centre-back Dainty and was duly converted by Passey, first-time, from close range.

PASSEY EQUALISES...

Alvis broke the deadlock however deep into added time. A free-kick from the inside-left slot was clipped, curled and cajoled over the defensive wall and deep into the left corner of the Saints’ net by Maguire, whose celebratory sprint to the sidelines was memorable… A fine shot, really fine, although it has to be said that I’m in no way related to him…  

MAGUIRE'S FREE-KICK DROPS IN...

Incredibly. Within a minute, Southam netted an unlikely equaliser. A free-kick from deep left saw Tomczak shrug off Whailing’s challenge to dive forwards and head the ball past the helpless Roach from 8 yards. Unbelievable… Extra-time loomed and the evening began to get very cold…

TOMCZAK REGAINS PARITY...

A Southam free-kick resulted in an incident which was much debated by the Southam players and staff. Cole appeared to lead with an arm as he challenged Dainty to get in a header from a free-kick but the ball actually bounced off Roach’s legs to Leaver, who shot home from 10 yards. The official had awarded Alvis a free-kick…

The winning goal was scored straight after the restart for the final 15 minutes, when Callum Thompson blocked two attempted 18 yard clearances. The first block was from Martin Thompson’s thump, which rebounded to Thomas and again the Alvis midfielder charged the boot down, allowing Suffo to slip a short pass to Cooke in the inside-left channel. He fooled Martin Thompson to go towards the outside, cut back inside and clipped a marvellous shot over the flailing arms of Manuel from 18 yards and deep into the far corner of the net. Brilliant…

COOKE'S FINE SHOT WINS THE MATCH FOR ALVIS...

Dainty’s unwise scythe on Thomas led to a second booking for the heroic Alvis defender and hence a dismissal, whilst Roach punched clear the free-kick to Murphy, who volleyed wildly over the goal-frame. Finally, following a left-wing throw, Cole hooked a 19 yard effort well wide of the left upright, to his obvious anguish.

Alvis had matched their higher ranked opponents well and despite Roach’s saves and Dainty’s fine defending, they did enough on offense to deserve the victory. Two of their three goals were quality strikes but in midfield, to be honest, Maguire, Evans and Calvin Thompson outplayed Curry, who left the field injured, Briscoe and Gaggini, who certainly had his moments, however. This was a fiercely contested game and a fine advert for teams at their levels in the pyramid.

A COLD NIGHT BENEATH A SLIVER OF MOON...

Alvis? Returned Southam to sender, plus maybe a night or two in Heartbreak Hotel…