Someone needs to teach Jesus how to take penalties.

That is the main conclusion from semi-final weekend as St John’s and Pembroke made it through to this year’s Cuppers final, whilst Emma and Selwyn will battle it out for the Plate in the coming weeks.

Saturday’s games were almost postponed due to snowy conditions, but fortunately they went ahead, allowing for Pembroke and Jesus to play out one of the most memorable semi-finals in the history of Cuppers. The two sides shared six goals between them after 120 minutes, and were only separated from what has become anathema to Jesus; the penalty spot. In the Plate, Emma were able to overcome struggling Clare after surviving a postponement scare, easing to a 2-0 victory.

On Sunday, St John’s, whose unbeaten run came to an end last week at the hands of Jesus, were able to avoid a shock as they managed to overcome second division high-flyers Churchill courtesy of, (look away now Jesus fans), a penalty converted by Dan Forde. In the day’s other fixture, it took extra time to separate Queens' and Selwyn, but ultimately Dave Hawes’s 115th minute penalty (yes another one) made all the difference for Selwyn.

CUPPERS SEMI-FINALS 

Pembroke 3-3 Jesus  (Pembroke win 3-1 on penalties)

Pembroke: Ogier, Ifere (x2)

Jesus: Ashmead, Crooks, Anderson

This game will live long in the memories of those present. A semi-final that promised so much, and it truly lived up to his billing. These two of course were last year’s Cuppers finalists. That day, Jesus were the victors. But last weekend saw Pembroke take revenge in the most painful of fashions for the holders, who not only lost the game through the dreaded penalty shoot-out, but who also missed two penalties during the course of the game. To add insult to injury, one of those penalties was the last kick of extra-time.

Both these sides came into the game off the back of very different cup runs. Jesus came into the game having carefully negotiated the earlier rounds, securing 1-0 victories over third division side Robinson and fourth division giant-killers Sidney Sussex (the latter taking them to extra-time). Queens' also proved stiff opposition, requiring extra-time before securing a 3-2 win. Pembroke on the other hand, have seen goals and thrillers galore. A comfortable victory over Peterhouse 2-0 was followed by a stonker against Trinity, where eleven goals were shared in a 6-5 last minute victory. They then impressively overcame second division league leaders Darwin 3-2 after extra time. In the league, Pembroke have impressed since promotion last season but came into the game after a disappointing 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Selwyn. Jesus, however, look odds-on favourites for the title, still boasting a 100 per cent record in all competitions. Until last Saturday, that is.

After surviving a heavy snow flurry prior to kick-off, the game kicked off with Pembroke on the front foot. They took the lead after 20 minutes when Tom Ogier’s vicious cross flew straight into the back of the net. Concerted pressure from last season’s runners-up brought a scrappy second, this time David Ifere put the ball into an empty Jesus net.

Jesus by this point were in disarray and in danger of losing the plot. However, they kept their heads and brought themselves back into the contest. It was Ashmead who found the net following a three-on-one situation, leaving the score at half time at 2-1.

The second half began with neither side seizing the initiative in the opening exchanges. But, out of nowhere, David Ifere popped up with a long-distance goal. On the hour, Pembroke held a 3-1 lead.

That said, Jesus don’t have an unbeaten record for nothing. They rallied, and, showing real character and determination, they took full control of the fixture, hurling everything at their opponents to try and draw back level.

Their pressure won them their first penalty of the afternoon, when Preye Crooks was brought down inside the area. But the penalty sailed over the bar.

Jesus didn’t feel sorry for themselves however. A change in formation brought its rewards when substitute Anderson found the net, turning in a low cross to the near post with 15 minutes to go.

Seven minutes later the sides were all square. Blues player Preye Crooks drilled home a brilliant free kick from all of 35 yards to take the game to extra time.

Extra time was a scrappy affair, with continuous stoppages for cramp injuries. There were few chances in the first period, and in the second, Jesus took over, but neither side were able to make the breakthrough.

Preye Crooks was brought down inside the penalty area again in the 121st minute. The referee, after consulting with his linesman, gave the spot-kick. Jesus had the chance to win the game with last kick of the game. Up stepped Anderson. What happened next can be seen in the video below.

A distraught Jesus, having missed two penalties already, now had the task of overcoming an elated Pembroke from the spot. They say psychology has an important role in penalty shootouts, and this proved to be so. Only Crawford was able to find a way to put the ball past Josh Banthorpe. It was Ambrogio Pistoja who netted the winning penalty.

Jesus bow out in the cruellest of fashions, but its back to back cup finals for Pembroke.

Churchill 0-1 St John’s

St John’s: Forde (pen)

The second Cuppers semi-final was not quite as thrilling as the first, but St John’s got the job done, and can now look forward to facing Pembroke in the final.

Churchill were no meagre opponents however. Unbeaten in all competitions prior to this fixture, they currently sit joint top of the second tier with Darwin, and look set to be in amongst the promotion hopefuls for this season. St John’s meanwhile came into the game after their unbeaten streak was ended by Jesus the weekend before. At least they can say they know how to score penalties during regulation time.

It was St John’s who controlled the early exchanges. However, they were unable to create any clear-cut openings. Churchill took a while to get going, but, buoyed by the home fans' support, they gradually grew into the game, with Rolph beginning to cause John’s some problems.

Their biggest threat came from set-pieces. One such corner, delivered by Goddard-Pantic, was whipped dangerously across the face and was crying out for someone to get on the end of it but it evaded everyone.

St John’s created chances of their own, peppering the Churchill goal from 20 yards, and forcing Churchill stopper Smyth into action. At the break however, the score was tied at 0-0.

Churchill started the second half slowly and John’s began to take control of the game. As a sign of things to come, John's number nine sent an audacious 20 yard chip narrowly the bar. Soon after, the same man again broke through the Churchill backline, only to be met by the onrushing Smyth. The keeper failed to get any of the ball, and St John’s were awarded the spot kick despite, to quote the Churchill captain, the John’s forward going “down like he was auditioning for Swan Lake”.

The penalty was given and Smyth was duly booked for his challenge. Up stepped Dan Forde, and he coolly dispatched the kick to the keeper's left. He did well to have not seen any of the Jesus penalties from the day before.

St John’s remained on top after the restart and it took Churchill a while to get back firing again. But they did, knowing their Cuppers dreams were hanging in the balance. Numerous long passes over the top came to nothing, until Waller put through one such pass that set Rolph through on goal against the John’s keeper. However, he was deceived by the bounce, causing him to fall over and effectively pass the ball to the keeper. Holt, Waller and Goddard Pantic were in control of the midfield, attempting clever passes and remaining strong in the challenge.

Ultimately however, St John’s class shone through as they were able to absorb anything Churchill had to offer. They saw the game out, and Dan Forde’s penalty proved to be the difference.

The Cuppers final will take place on Friday, 13th February at Grange Road.

PLATE SEMI-FINALS

Clare 0-2 Emma

Emma: Gardner (pen), Pinder

In the first Plate semi-final of the weekend, Clare and Emma met in an all-second division encounter. This game, as with the Jesus-Pembroke Cuppers clash, managed to survive the Saturday snow and despite the pitch being covered in icy slush, they were able to kick off with little delay.

Clare, bottom of the division and without a point this campaign, came into the game without Captain Ed Pilkington and Vice Captain Richard Andrews, who both missed out through injury. Their injury problems went from bad to worse after just five minutes when Mani Farinre pulled up after just five minutes with a hamstring strain.

The game started slowly as both teams negotiated the icy conditions that made “Sol-Campbell-esque slide tackles inevitable.” After fifteen minutes, the ice began to melt, allowing for a more freely flowing game.

Emma dominated the early exchanges, enjoying a large amount of possession but they were unable to carve out any meaningful opportunities. But it was Clare who took the first swing when a quick move opened up the Emma defence, resulting in the ball finding the net. However, the linesman flagged and the goal was chalked off.

That was the wakeup call Emma needed. Stu Gardner picked up the ball in midfield and went on a steaming run right through the heart of the Clare defence. He weaved between three or four players and then drilled in a low cross that was inexplicably missed by three waiting Emma players. An inquiry at half time concluded that one such player (who has asked to remain nameless) totally miscued and the other two were caught stranded.

This led to a flurry of further Emma attacks, but it would take another slalom run from Stu Gardner to break the deadlock. Having caused problems all game, he was tripped by Aodhan Kelly inside the eighteen yard box – a stonewall penalty. He elected to take it himself, and despite the Clare keeper getting two hands to the ball, it powered into the back of the net. 1-0 at the break.

The second half was a much more even contest, with more physical challenges flying in. The referee, however, was quick to call the foul.

Emma doubled their lead courtesy of Billy Pinder's long-range drive. He picked up the ball on the right wing, cut inside and hit the ball from 20 yards straight into the far corner of the net. 

Clare’s best chance came from sub James Johnston, who, with five minutes to go, received a great through ball by Clare’s man of the match Aodhan Kelly, but ended up sending it sailing over the crossbar.

The rest of the game from this point was more of a formality for Emma as they stopped committing men forward and retained the ball in midfield.

Commiserations for Clare. Ecstasy for Emma.

Queens’ 1-2 Selwyn (AET)

Queens’: Knight

Selwyn: Ball, Hawes (pen)

Queens’, third in the second tier, fancied their chances against current Premier League leaders Selwyn in the other Plate semi-final. Having already taken Jesus to extra-time this season, a shock could have been on the cards.

But in the end it wasn’t to be. High winds meant that Queens’ found it difficult to get out of their own half in the first period, but nevertheless it was an even half with a few sporadic chances for both teams. One talking point perhaps was Ben Farrar’s booking for a cynical challenge, described as “necessary” by the Queens’ captain.

In the second half, it was Selwyn who had to deal with the adverse effects of the wind, and Queens’ were able to push on.

Queens’ had a goal dubiously ruled out ten minutes into the second half. Ali Ward had squared the ball to Steven Evans, who, despite apparently standing behind Ward according to the Queens’ camp, was judged to be offside by the linesman.

Queens’ ultimately had to bite their lips as they game drifted towards extra-time. It was goalless at full time, but it certainly wasn’t going to stay that way.

In fact, it took only a matter of seconds for Selwyn to find the net after play resumed. After a fluid move comprised of quick passes, it was Lewis Ball who managed to convert the effort into a goal.

The game resumed at a slow pace as fatigue set in, but, as much of the game had been, it remained relatively even.

In the second half, Queens’ missed a great chance to draw level when a corner resulted in a goal-mouth scramble that lasted for ten seconds, yet somehow no one was able to put the ball into the Selwyn net.

Then, with five minutes to go, Selwyn broke down the other end, and Matthew Edmundson-Jones was judged to have fouled a Selwyn forward in the box. Up stepped Dave Hawes, and he made no mistake.

But Queens’ didn’t give up, and just moments later, they halved the defecit when Shaun Flack dribbled the ball all the way from the half way line down the left wing to square for the onrushing Alex Knight on the edge of the box, who smashed the ball home.

With the score at 2-1, Selwyn turned defensive. Queens’ continued to pepper their goal but couldn’t find a vital equaliser.

Queens’ bow out feeling slightly aggrieved, but ultimately it's Selwyn who will have the chance to face Emma in the final.