The FA County Youth Cup
First Round
1pm, Saturday 11 October 2008
Waterside Park, Thatcham Town FC
Cornwall hadn't won a tie in The FA County Youth Cup for six years, but they edged this nine-goal thriller in the warm Berkshire sunshine on Saturday.
The Cornish visitors were hanging on at 4-3 going into stoppage time and this extraordinary game still had a twist in its tail. Berks & Bucks equalised through Carl Knox two minutes into added time, but two minutes after that Aaron Bicknell had a one-on-one with the home 'keeper and kept his nerve to fire home a last-gasp winner for Cornwall.
The game had an unfortunate start, a Cornwall midfielder going down with what initially appeared to be a serious injury after less than 30 seconds. There was a hold-up of six minutes before the stricken player was carried off and an ambulance summoned. But, once his injury was assessed by a paramedic, it was decided that he didn't need to go to hospital and he was able to celebrate Cornwall's victory with his team-mates at the end.
After eight minutes, although only two had actually been played, Cornwall took the lead with defender Keiran Conibear's firm downward header from a long free-kick. Berks & Bucks were unlucky not to equalise before finally managing it on 39 minutes. Visiting 'keeper Rob Rosevear flew across his goal to fist Knox's curling corner-kick into the air and Danny Hicks was perfectly placed to nod the dropping ball into the empty goal.
Within three minutes the visitors were ahead again, Liam Nicholls bravely heading in Billy Hopcroft's punt upfield as the 'keeper and a defender converged on him. Then two quick goals in this see-saw contest saw Berks & Bucks go 3-2 up. Sam Hamilton slammed in a low left-footer after skipper Kyle Jeffrey's burst into the box had caused havoc on 47 minutes and Adam Sly rode two challenges before thumping a shot into the far corner six minutes later.
Cornwall's Hopcroft then took centre stage, scoring with opportunist strikes on 65 and 67 minutes to put the visitors in the driving seat once more. Then came that thrilling two-goal finale that took Cornwall through to a Second Round tie at home to Worcestershire.
