05.10.03 Old Upminster - 1-0 down, 2-1 up, La Chiesa for the Cup!

The last time something this exciting happened in Hornchurch, Bobby Robson was an apprentice at Fulham! The incredible scenes that followed La Chiesa Del Corno's first competitve victory will remain in the memory of those present for a very long time indeed. Their opponents, Old Upminster Hammering, can be proud to say they played their part in what might turn out to be one of the most significant matches in football history.

Surprise team news saw La Chiesa Player Manager Sam Knowles on the bench alongside Cy Taylor and new signing Dave Hartwell, but Taylor soon replaced the unfortunate Danny Sales who twisted his knee after an impressive opening twenty minutes. Taylor was soon involved and had LCDC's best chance of the first half, meeting a Mark Harris cross but failing to trouble Old Upminsters veteran keeper. At the other end, Chiesa's defence were restricting Old Upminster to long range efforts that Danny Hardwick was able to watch as they flew high and wide, although one deflected shot had Chiesa hearts in their mouths as it looped over "The Monk", but fortunately bounced back to safety off the crossbar. It's fair to say that Upminster probably edged the first half in terms of posession, but their were few clear cut chances at either end.

The second half was barely five minutes old when the game was sparked into life. Neil Joel, who had been an influential figure throughout, attacked down the right and crossed to the edge of the area where Craig Brooks hit a stunning volley past the helpless Hardwick. Tough on John Riley and Terry Soteriou who had been rock solid at the heart of La Chiesa's defence, but some goals are unpreventable, even Andy Gray with his video machines couldn't find fault with this one right enough!

La Chiesa introduced Hartwell to the Coopers faithful on the hour and soon after, Knowles replaced Trew, who had given his all in the hardest job on the pitch, marking the tricky Joel.

Soon after, Chiesa won a somewhat dubious free kick 25 yards out. The crowd waited for a Colin Williams special..... but he blasted it over. The fans were still groaning just minutes later when LCDC were awarded another free kick in almost the exact same position.... and this time Williams bent it into the top corner! Another goal of the season contender! Belief restored, Chiesa atttacked Upminster all over the pitch. The visitors had their backs to the wall and when Gary Higgs flicked on Harris' throw in, Skipper Darren Hodsoll steamed in at the back post to nod LCDC into the lead for the first time in a competitive match. Cue riotous celebrations on the halfway line, Hodsoll mobbed by the whole side, Hardwick setting a personal best for the 50 yards, and fans running on the pitch to join in the mayhem...the kind of scenes you just don't see in the prawn sandwich eating corporate world of Premier League Football. For the next fifteen minutes or so La Chiesa were riding the crest of a wave, and could have increased the lead, Matt Gillham going close, and Sam Knowles missing his customary sitter when put through by another Higgs flick.

Old Upminster kept LCDC fans on the edge of their seats in the last ten minutes, all hands to the pump in the Chiesa box, with Matt Gillham making two or three vital clearances. Extra time seemed likely when a twenty yard strike from Upminster flew into the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for handball.

At last the final whistle went. La Chiesa had their first competitive victory, their 100% record at Coopers remains intact, and a date with Thorndon Park in the next round beckons! As keeper Danny Hardwick said while the boys were taking the nets down, " If I could bottle this feeling, I'd be a millionaire!"

Ah, the sweet smell of success.....I LOVE IT!

LCDC; (4-4-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Soteriou, Williams; M Gillham, Hodsoll, B Gillham (Hartwell), Trew (Knowles); Sales (Taylor), Higgs

Gols - Williams, Hodsoll

Arbitro - J Monks


				*lachiesa.co.uk* *05.10.03 Old Upminster - 1-0 down, 2-1 up, La Chiesa for the Cup!*



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		Skinheads Rule OK! writes Guillem Balague La Chiesa 2 v Old Upminster Hammering 1







		The last time something this exciting happened in Hornchurch, Bobby Robson was an apprentice at Fulham! The incredible scenes that followed La Chiesa Del Corno's first competitve victory will remain in the memory of those present for a very long time indeed. Their opponents, Old Upminster Hammering, can be proud to say they played their part in what might turn out to be one of the most significant matches in football history. Surprise team news saw La Chiesa Player Manager Sam Knowles on the bench alongside Cy Taylor and new signing Dave Hartwell, but Taylor soon replaced the unfortunate Danny Sales who twisted his knee after an impressive opening twenty minutes. Taylor was soon involved and had LCDC's best chance of the first half, meeting a Mark Harris cross but failing to trouble Old Upminsters veteran keeper. At the other end, Chiesa's defence were restricting Old Upminster to long range efforts that Danny Hardwick was able to watch as they flew high and wide, although one deflected shot had Chiesa hearts in their mouths as it looped over "The Monk", but fortunately bounced back to safety off the crossbar. It's fair to say that Upminster probably edged the first half in terms of posession, but their were few clear cut chances at either end. The second half was barely five minutes old when the game was sparked into life. Neil Joel, who had been an influential figure throughout, attacked down the right and crossed to the edge of the area where Craig Brooks hit a stunning volley past the helpless Hardwick. Tough on John Riley and Terry Soteriou who had been rock solid at the heart of La Chiesa's defence, but some goals are unpreventable, even Andy Gray with his video machines couldn't find fault with this one right enough! La Chiesa introduced Hartwell to the Coopers faithful on the hour and soon after, Knowles replaced Trew, who had given his all in the hardest job on the pitch, marking the tricky Joel. Soon after, Chiesa won a somewhat dubious free kick 25 yards out. The crowd waited for a Colin Williams special..... but he blasted it over. The fans were still groaning just minutes later when LCDC were awarded another free kick in almost the exact same position.... and this time Williams bent it into the top corner! Another goal of the season contender! Belief restored, Chiesa atttacked Upminster all over the pitch. The visitors had their backs to the wall and when Gary Higgs flicked on Harris' throw in, Skipper Darren Hodsoll steamed in at the back post to nod LCDC into the lead for the first time in a competitive match. Cue riotous celebrations on the halfway line, Hodsoll mobbed by the whole side, Hardwick setting a personal best for the 50 yards, and fans running on the pitch to join in the mayhem...the kind of scenes you just don't see in the prawn sandwich eating corporate world of Premier League Football. For the next fifteen minutes or so La Chiesa were riding the crest of a wave, and could have increased the lead, Matt Gillham going close, and Sam Knowles missing his customary sitter when put through by another Higgs flick. Old Upminster kept LCDC fans on the edge of their seats in the last ten minutes, all hands to the pump in the Chiesa box, with Matt Gillham making two or three vital clearances. Extra time seemed likely when a twenty yard strike from Upminster flew into the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for handball. At last the final whistle went. La Chiesa had their first competitive victory, their 100% record at Coopers remains intact, and a date with Thorndon Park in the next round beckons! As keeper Danny Hardwick said while the boys were taking the nets down, " If I could bottle this feeling, I'd be a millionaire!" Ah, the sweet smell of success.....I LOVE IT! LCDC; (4-4-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Soteriou, Williams; M Gillham, Hodsoll, B Gillham (Hartwell), Trew (Knowles); Sales (Taylor), Higgs Gols - Williams, Hodsoll Arbitro - J Monks