Official Cup

Grasmere Fields
Spectators: 165 (Terracing: 124, Seating: 38, VIP seats: 3) Harlow AFC's Pierre Pickard started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Wieslaw Majczyk in the 5th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Connor Rigg prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 7 minutes into the match, Harlow AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Wieslaw Majczyk came free, but Connor Rigg reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Astra Krotoszyn's Wieslaw Majczyk in the 9th minute got a chance for a shot 9th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Harlow AFC's goalie prevented a goal. Marek Szpakowski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Iain Ely in the 15th minute of play. Connor Rigg didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Wieslaw Majczyk went, in the 17th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. The supporters of Harlow AFC booed when Astra Krotoszyn was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wladyslaw Siembab didn't get a good kick on the ball. With an all-out effort, Harlow AFC's Marek Szpakowski threw himself towards the right post 25 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Pierre Pickard, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. A collision led to Harlow AFC getting a freekick after 29 minutes play. Dylan Bancroft hit a great ball. Marek Szpakowski showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jeffrey Moyse, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. In the 35th minute, Pierre Pickard reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Marek Szpakowski. The goal made the score 2-1. When Harlow AFC's Iain Ely in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Astra Krotoszyn's goalie prevented a goal. Marek Szpakowski was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Pierre Pickard showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 3-1 in the 44 minute of play.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Wieslaw Majczyk to make the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Wieslaw Majczyk in the 51st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Connor Rigg saved Harlow AFC from getting behind. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Wieslaw Majczyk in the 53rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Connor Rigg saved Harlow AFC from getting behind. After a defensive mix-up in Astra Krotoszyn's zone, Iain Ely stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marek Szpakowski came out of the goal and Iain Ely tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 65th minute, Danny Rowe hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 66th minute, Grzegorz Modrzewski sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Harlow AFC's Connor Rigg didn't even have to move. After 67 played minutes Harlow AFC got a freekick which was hit by Dale Gordon. In the 69th match minute, Harlow AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dylan Bancroft to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Astra Krotoszyn's zone, Pierre Pickard stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marek Szpakowski came out of the goal and Pierre Pickard tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some careless play in the Astra Krotoszyn defense, Pierre Pickard kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marek Szpakowski. The Astra Krotoszyn fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marek Szpakowski should have stopped the shot. Marek Szpakowski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pierre Pickard in the 83rd minute of the match. For all the effort they put into the match, the Astra Krotoszyn players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Harlow AFC.