The FPC lads kicked off the weekend by boozing to the early hours of the morning. The ‘bonding session’ has become a tradition over the years.
Unsurprisingly, the team got off to a less than inspiring start against Sheffield Wednesday but astonishingly they were only 1-0 at half time. FPC staged a remarkable comeback and dominated the second period. Frazzle equalised but an incredibly dodgy penalty gave the Sheffield side an ill deserved win.
FPC continued to play well in the second group match against Derby. They found themselves 1-0 up thanks to Malcolm Boyd sclaffing an effort into the bottom corner and three points looked a certainty. However, the ability to shoot themselves in the foot has never left FPC and two stupid goals in the last four minutes meant that Derby left with the victory.
 | Did this man score a penalty? |
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Results earlier in the day meant that the day’s final game between FPC and QPR B was meaningless. FPC were determined to finish on a high though and dominated the game from start to finish. The goal didn’t look like coming until the Corner were awarded a penalty. Del the goalie stepped up to dispatch what turned out to be a very vital winner indeed.
The tournament split into two on the Sunday with the top teams in the group playing for the Cup while the bottom pair went into the Plate. FPC finished third in their group and were seeded in the plate draw. The plate was due to kick off at 8am on Sunday morning but FPC were drawn against St Mirren – who had elected to go home after injures and withdrawals left them with only eight players! That meant that FPC received a bye in the first round and were allowed a long lie after another night drinking and a kick off at the more respectable time of noon.
 | A rare pic of the squad outside the pub |
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The Corner boys enjoyed the Sunday morning long lie following another night on the tiles. FPC kicked off with a second round match against Ipswich. A comfortable win followed and this gave the team a lot of confidence with Mitchell and Marshall both notching goals but it was Gilly’s excellent run and finish that stole the show in the 3-0 win.
Nottingham Forest B were waiting in the quarter finals and despite a good first half for FPC, the teams went in level. Forest took the lead with a penalty at the start of the second half but FPC rallied and came back into things. Moyes scrambled an equaliser from a free kick and Derek Wilson almost scored a last minute winner but his effort grazed the bar. The golden goal period was tight and short of chances but a stroke of luck won it for FPC. John Barclay Junior hit a solid shot and a wicked deflection ensured that FPC would be in the semi finals.
Manchester United defeated Gillingham in their quarter final penalty shoot out and made a good start against FPC. They took the lead but Stevie Marshall equalised when the goalie fumbled his shot. Junior scored the second after being released by Galloway and he got his second and the Corner’s third with almost the last kick of the ball to secure the win. Shockingly FPC were in the Plate Final.
Aberdeen were the next opponents and they made a much better start to the final game. Nerves seemed to have got the better of FPC and they were soon one down. The rest of the half didn’t get much better although an effort from Mitch which hit the bar was at least one positive sign. A motivational talk from coach Barclay at half time worked wonders and FPC had most of the second half. A laughably bad effort from Wilson somehow beat the goalkeeper and levelled the game but FPC couldn’t go on to find the winner. Reaching extra time gave Aberdeen a boost and they had marginally the better of the golden goal period. This eventually paid off with a goal a couple of minutes from time. FPC didn’t cover themselves in glory defending it but having been fortunate in their equaliser, it was a case of things evening themselves out.
A similar result in Leeds this time around would exceed all expectations, rest assured if it happens you’ll read all about it here. |