| CSKA Carnabys |
| CFA |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| Sunday 14 April 2024 |
| League Cup |
| Friar Lane |
| Referee: Cameron McGuiness |
Match Summary
⚽️ D Danes (pen)
🅰️ Ward
For the third time in the club’s history, CSKA Carnabys fell short of an illusive cup final after a narrow defeat at the semi-final stage to recent Billy Walton Cup winners, CFA.
Friar Lane & Epworth FC was the chosen neutral venue for the occasion. CSKA were restricted to a squad of just 13 on account of unavailability, cup-tied players from reserve side appearances, and the introduction of the 4 appearance semi-final rule that ruled out new signings Zijie Huang and James Lewis, as well as Raj Bhanji and Manni Rai who had missed most of the season with long term injuries. A notable absentee on the sideline was Manager Chris McCafferty, missing only his 4th CSKA game in 16 years.
Nonetheless, CSKA had a strong squad with the only change to the starting XI that defeated Sileby Athletic in the 1/4 Final being Olly McDougall coming in for the ineligible Huang on the left side. Will McNamee was back in the squad after recent illness.
Despite a strong start from CSKA, it was CFA who took the lead midway inside the first half who then controlled for a long period and eventually got their second goal from from Southern League Premier Divison side striker Tendai.
CSKA finished strong however and a late penalty slotted home by Dan Danes gave CSKA a glimmer of hope in the dying stages, but referee McGuinness called time and CFA progress to their second cup final this season.
Assistant Manager's Comments
Could not be prouder of the efforts today from the boys. We worked incredibly hard to get to the semi and showed a very good team that we can challenge the very best.
We came out the blocks flying and looked to have them stunned with a high press and lovely passing moves across the front line with midfield runners going beyond and CFA looked panicked at the back. But on a very large and bobbly pitch, they eventually worked their way into the game hitting two very good strikers and began to hold the ball and were able to create chances of their own.
To a man, each of us battled well and ran hard to stay in shape and cover their athletic runners. We came undone after a quick break, losing the ball centrally and the goal definitely settled them into their rhythm and for the next period of the game despite best efforts we perhaps played a bit within ourselves now aware of the danger they posed.
Overall a disappointing result and end to what has been a brilliant run for the club.
-DP
CSKA Man of the Match
- Hiran Mistry
Squad
Starting XI
| MotM | Number | Name | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T Shah | 90 | |
| 19 | M Bell | 80 | |
| 3 | C Williams | 90 | |
| 2 | M Westerman | 90 | |
| ⭐ | 8 | H Mistry | 90 |
| 6 | D Danes ⚽ | 90 | |
| 17 | C Ward 🅰️ | 65 | |
| 25 | R Capp | 70 | |
| 7 | D Payne | 80 | |
| 61 | O McDougall | 80 | |
| 45 | O Arnold | 90 |
Bench Used
| MotM | Number | Name | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | W McNamee | 45 | |
| 38 | M Danes | 30 |
- CSKA Carnabys Debut - James Lewis
- CSKA Carnabys Debut - Zijie Huang