CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE
FC TEAM 1 CAMDEN PARK 1 (AET - Camden won 4-2 on penalties)
With regular no. 1 Steven Murad calling in sick, Couque stepped in between the sticks for Camden. The game started slowly as both teams struggled to play in wet conditions at London Academy in Edgware.
In a half of few chances, top-scorer Connoe Perl broke though Camdens offside trap to finish with his left foot in the near post to put FC Team 1-0 up.
Camden came out strongly at the start of the second half and they started to find their passing rhythm. Their efforts were rewarded when clever play between Mike Khalatschi and Dudi Edreyi released Dan Orgel who latched on to a through ball and power a right foot finish across the keeper from 10 yards.
With the match evenly poised, Camden missed a chance to forge ahead when Goodman was smartly saved and Krieger missed the target from a corner. FC Team also had notable chance missing the target from a free kick a yard outside the box.
With FC Teams strikers off the pitch injured and Camden light in numbers due to sinbins and injuries, both teams struggled to create chances in extra-time.
The lottery of penalties saw Camden progress and Couque the hero by saving two, as Joe Levy scored the winning penalty to send Camden through.
Camden Park joint-manager Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "I'm extremely pleased that we came away with the win and progress in the cup with what could have been a banana skin tie for us.
"FC Team are a good side and made life difficult for us, particularly in the first half. I am proud of my boys who had to dig deep, with men coming off injured and sinbinned. Plaudits go to Ash who stepped up to play in goal.
"Overall I am happy that we managed to get through, with the players we had missing through injury and unavailability and under the circumstances of the game this was very good result we can build on for next week."
FC Team's Jonny Pearl reflected on what he described as "a pretty awful game". He told JC Sport: "We really missed a big opportunity to knock out a Premiership team.
"We totally dominated the first half but then we lost our momentum and we let Camden get back in the game.
"Credit to both sets of players who put in dogged displays and showed real commitment right until the 120th minute. It's a shame but upwards and onward and the league remains our top priority.
"I also just want to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Sweet new year from all at FC Team."
