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| Saturday 03 January 2004 St Francis Rangers III 3 East Court 5 HOLDERS East Court booked their place in the semi-finals of the Malins Cup with victory over St Francis Rangers III on Saturday (January 3). Despite welcoming back last season's top scorer Billy Denyer, captain Simon Nickols and vice-captain Ross Kelly to the side after three months away travelling, the away team found themselves two goals behind. East Court were creating chances with Martyn Bishop going close with an overhead kick and Kelly and Nick Clarkson-Tooze also testing the St Francis keeper. Just before half-time East Court were back in the match when Martyn Bishop's cross-shot was only cleared as far as Kelly, who slotted home. Within a minute of the second half the away side was level. The ball was passed around in midfield before being given to Martyn Bishop, whose pin-point cross was headed in by Andrew Wright. After this East Court played some excellent football and went in front when the ball was layed off to Kelly who rifled his shot into the back of the net. Ben Sunderland came on for Clarkson-Tooze and found himself on the score-sheet shortly after. Martyn Bishop could not beat the St Francis keeper with his three attempts so passed it to Sunderland, who made no mistake. Kelly secured his hat-trick, firing home through a crowd of players from Denyer's corner. St Francis pulled a goal back after a forward took the ball round East Court keeper Paul Bishop and slotted it past player-manager Daniel Medcalf on the line. Chris Butler came on for Martyn Bishop and East Court could have extended their lead further. Medcalf saw his shot well saved and substitute Chris Whiting, who went on for James Salter, could not quite beat the St Francis keeper to the rebound. Denyer also saw a shot come back off the cross-bar and Sunderland put his diving header from the rebound just wide. East Court return to league action this week with a local derby against East Grinstead United IV at Imberhorne School, kick off 2pm. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, C.Buckler, S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, Ja.Crittell, J.Salter (C.Whiting), B.Denyer, R.Kelly, N.Clarkson-Tooze (B.Sunderland), M.Bishop (C.Butler) |