Jillytub Memorial Trophy

SSPA Top 3 through to semi finals

The top three teams in the SSPA all progressed without any real drama as last year's JMT winners will have to go again in a replay after being held at home by Sardine City.

Taxbore Wanderers were one of the founding members of the SSPA but have not had any luck in the knockout cup competition in any of its guises. Their last win in the JMT came in a 7-0 victory over FC Bugs Bunnies back in 2017. Since then it's been a departure at the first time of asking every season. However, they made it the semi finals with ease - even if they had not turned up, they would have won as the Smeggers returned a negative score. For the record, Foden's first two goals of the season, a goal from Chalobah and a rare clean sheet for Van Dijk made it into a rout.

After disposing of Bunny in the first round, Pip, runner up in 2024, came up against another Birney in the form of Fruitcake, winner in 2022. The Blackbirds made a terrible start to the game and soon found themselves on -7. Joe Gomez restored some pride with a clean sheet and assist but the game was lost by then. Gakpo was the start for the Shankers with a goal and an assist and 10 points was the difference in the end.

Neither Big Euge or Cookie have a great pedigree in this competition: with only three final appearances between them and one win for CNUT in 2013. This was a much closer match that was more nip and tuck with a bit of how's yer father. Both managers had been sparring at the mini auction on Friday night so it was always going to be a tense affair. CNUT had enough at the end through Thiago's two goals and a Kerkez clean sheet. The Lizards were let down by Lacroix and Williams who got a minus point each.

The Burge won this competition last season, when he had a great squad, edging out Duncity United 9-7 on a warm day in May. Although his team were involved in the most exciting game of the QFs they couldn't find what was required against a resolute City. The Fishy Ones were fresh back from a rigorous training camp in South West Wales, boyo, and were looking good. Amongst the Two Inces points was a clean sheet from Konate, and a King assist, parting gifts in their last game for the Berkshire club. Fernandes, with two assists, and Van Hecke, with a clean sheet, were the main men for Sardine as they earned the right to a replay at home.

SSPA strugglers fall at the first hurdle

High-flying Shankers and Two Inces, and mid-table Lizards all disposed of their bottom-feeding opponents in the First Round of the JMT.

The Shankers were coasting for most of their tie until All Gold emulated the Ryder Cup Yanks team by making a failed late comeback. Keane's goal in the last game of the weekend set the cat amongst the pigeons. If he also kept a clean sheet, Bunny's boys would have pinched the game by a single point, after being 12 behind at one stage. However, Bowen lashed the ball into the top corner to finish off any All Gold hopes.

Two Inces were also leading quite handsomely for most of their game against the new boys, REAL DD. Doy's boys huffed and puffed but never really showed signs of getting back into it.

The closest game was at Stranded on the Green in an edgy RPA derby. This was more of a ding-dong game with a touch more dong than ding. Sarr set the ball rolling for the Lizards with an early goal. But Frimpong had a stinker, conceding two late goals, so 2-0 to Lizards. It stayed that way for a while until a Digne assist restored parity. Then it all kicked off when Merino's glancing header found the net for Duncity but an almost immediate reply from Magalhaes must have had Big Euge in raptures. Down 5-4, Dirty Dunc still had the hope of a Tarkowski clean sheet but this was snuffed out in the final match of the weekend.