League Cup 1/4 Final - Wealdon 1 Cringleford 5

<p>Cold, wet & windy.....but enough about Richie.<p>Cringleford were keen to get back in the saddle after a prolonged seasonal break which saw Rudi taking the idea of extra winter padding to a whole new level.&nbsp;Mark Dennis had to break out of rehab to get to the game on time, otherwise everyone seemed fit & well.&nbsp;A notable absentee was super chef Hickman, old granny legs turning up in a fetching pair of tights after some light cosmetic surgery.&nbsp;Roger is hoping that Can Can nights at Hickman's on a Tuesday will really bring in the extra bucks.<p>One look at the Wealdon side suggested the game may be physical...they didn't disappoint.<p>The away side had to really battle to assert their dominance & after a prolonged spell of pressure got the reward.&nbsp;Some unbelievable work by Mark Hallam on the right side who after emerging triumphant from a David & Goliath battle, showed great skill & vision to find Hucks with a long ranger.&nbsp;Hucks looked to lob the keeper, & as the ball was goal-bound, a desperate lunge by the Wealdon defender helped it home.&nbsp;Borderline own goal but we'll give it to Hucks.....he needs the confidence booster.<p>Wealdon replied immediately.&nbsp;A clumsy challenge by Jon T...yes Jon...seriously clumsy...gave the home side a penalty which they dispatched efficiently.&nbsp;1-1.<p>Rudi had a good chance to restore the lead with a free kick in a dangerous area.&nbsp;On the touchline the manager’s words “Rudi’s gonna bang this one in” seemed to hang in the air...as did Rudi’s free kick.<p>A notable highlight from this first half was an unbelievable effort from Matty M combining great football technique & martial arts to hit the post with a volley with the outside of the boot from an impossible angle.&nbsp;Had it gone in, goal of the season would've been done & dusted.<p>Cringleford were fairly relaxed at half-time in the knowledge that much of the same should see them win comfortably & as soon as they could get Mark Hallam off the swings the second half could get underway.<p>Second half was all one way.&nbsp;Ben Carver came alive & lit up the game with flair, pace & technique.&nbsp;Escaping free down the right he found Dave Waters with a lovely clipped cross, which Dave finished with aplomb.&nbsp;2-1 to the visitors.&nbsp;Dave's purple patch continued as he soon went on to set up Mark “He scores when he wants" Hallam, to finish in style.&nbsp;One touch past the defender & drilled into the bottom corner (his words not mine) 3-1.<p>Fourth goal was a Hucks solo, surrounded, as he was for most of the game, by a sea of orange, Huck’s disco feet danced through the Wealdon defence & with a shimmy, a fleckle & a moon walk, he found himself in front of the keeper & side footed home.&nbsp;4-1 to Cringleford...& a ten from Len.<p>Karl Izzard finished off the scoring from a Matt Metcalf pass after a fine team move.&nbsp;The introduction of a certain Frenchman having brought some much needed flair to the proceedings.&nbsp;Final Score 5-1 to Cringleford.<p>This game was never easy & Cringleford had to work really hard before eventually cruising to the win in the last 20 mins.&nbsp;Wealdon battled hard with challenges at times fairly brutal but the game was generally played in good spirits.&nbsp;Mick Sanders got some serious abuse from the home fans for flagging a disputed offside.....Age concern are investigating.<p>So Cringleford are through to the Semi-Final of the league cup for the first time in their history & can now look forward to a mouth-watering encounter with Quebec...& some unfinished business.