The Road To Thurrock

Chiesa began their journey in this years renewal of the Arthur Atkinson Cup with a home tie against Barking Colts. Having already defeated the Colts 2-0 in a league clash, LC/DC were confident of progessing to the next round and did so in fine style - a somewhat flattering 6-0 victory achieved thanks to two goals from Adam Jeffers, and one apiece from Samuel Knowles, Iain Gay, Matt Gillham, & Dennis Peck.

Maze had been handed a bye in the first round of the Cup this year, but there was no doubting they had landed in the tougher side of the draw, with top sides Ladzio, Woodford Hammers, and St Augustines standing in their path to cup glory. It was no mean feat then, when they hammered the boys from Woodford 4-1 on February 13th to land themselves a semi final clash with table topping Ladzio.

We have to wind the clock back to December to visit Chiesa's second round clash. Played in atrocious conditions at Ex Fortress Coopers, the match against May & Bakers was a particularlar unenjoyable affair. Chiesa took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to a scrambled effort from Jeffers that used up every ounce of his battling qualities. Minutes later, John Riley saw red for deliberate handball and LC/DC were up against it... then Jeffers departed via a stretcher...then Riley's central defensive partner in crime Warren Hardwick was carried off... it was a monumental battle to keep M&B at bay, but the ten men managed it, no thanks to Knowles taking and missing what has to be the worst penalty in AA Cup history in injury time. By hook or by crook, La Chiesa were through to the semi finals where they were to face Stonewood.

That match was originally scheduled for 20th February, but due to a waterlogged pitch at Chiesa's temporary home at the Power League, Hainault, it was postponed until March 6th. The tie was switched to Stonewood's ground in Walthamstow, but sure enough, when the day came, that pitch was waterlogged as well. While the boys from Chiesa were twiddling their thumbs, over in Chadwell Heath Maze were walloping Ladzio 5-1 to send shockwaves all over the Corinthian League and qualify for the final in some style.

When the semi final against Stonewood was eventually played it was a much closer contest than some experts had predicted. Chiesa had a 100% record in four matches against their E17 opposition, the last being a 7-1 thrashing back in October, but Stonewood had drafted in several new faces since then, and it was a nervous first hour for Chiesa followers before Colin Williams broke the deadlock with a trademark free kick. A second goal five minutes later from Knowles sealed the victory, and Chiesa were through to their first final, the Arthur Atkinson Cup no less!!!


				*lachiesa.co.uk* *The Road To Thurrock*



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		The road to Thurrock is a road that is long, and consists of many a winding turn. And it leads to Thurrock. Having fallen at the first hurdle in last years Arthur Atkinson Cup, we were determined to have a good run in this years competition. It started way back in October - Ah, it seems so long ago now...



		Round One La Chiesa 6 v Barking Colts 0 Chiesa began their journey in this years renewal of the Arthur Atkinson Cup with a home tie against Barking Colts. Having already defeated the Colts 2-0 in a league clash, LC/DC were confident of progessing to the next round and did so in fine style - a somewhat flattering 6-0 victory achieved thanks to two goals from Adam Jeffers, and one apiece from Samuel Knowles, Iain Gay, Matt Gillham, & Dennis Peck. Round Two Maze 4 v Woodford Hammers 1 La Chiesa 1 v May & Bakers 0 Maze had been handed a bye in the first round of the Cup this year, but there was no doubting they had landed in the tougher side of the draw, with top sides Ladzio, Woodford Hammers, and St Augustines standing in their path to cup glory. It was no mean feat then, when they hammered the boys from Woodford 4-1 on February 13th to land themselves a semi final clash with table topping Ladzio. We have to wind the clock back to December to visit Chiesa's second round clash. Played in atrocious conditions at Ex Fortress Coopers, the match against May & Bakers was a particularlar unenjoyable affair. Chiesa took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to a scrambled effort from Jeffers that used up every ounce of his battling qualities. Minutes later, John Riley saw red for deliberate handball and LC/DC were up against it... then Jeffers departed via a stretcher...then Riley's central defensive partner in crime Warren Hardwick was carried off... it was a monumental battle to keep M&B at bay, but the ten men managed it, no thanks to Knowles taking and missing what has to be the worst penalty in AA Cup history in injury time. By hook or by crook, La Chiesa were through to the semi finals where they were to face Stonewood. Semi Finals Maze 5 v Ladzio 1 Stonewood 0 v La Chiesa 2 That match was originally scheduled for 20th February, but due to a waterlogged pitch at Chiesa's temporary home at the Power League, Hainault, it was postponed until March 6th. The tie was switched to Stonewood's ground in Walthamstow, but sure enough, when the day came, that pitch was waterlogged as well. While the boys from Chiesa were twiddling their thumbs, over in Chadwell Heath Maze were walloping Ladzio 5-1 to send shockwaves all over the Corinthian League and qualify for the final in some style. When the semi final against Stonewood was eventually played it was a much closer contest than some experts had predicted. Chiesa had a 100% record in four matches against their E17 opposition, the last being a 7-1 thrashing back in October, but Stonewood had drafted in several new faces since then, and it was a nervous first hour for Chiesa followers before Colin Williams broke the deadlock with a trademark free kick. A second goal five minutes later from Knowles sealed the victory, and Chiesa were through to their first final, the Arthur Atkinson Cup no less!!! April 10th Arthur Atkinson Cup Final La Chiesa ? v Maze ?