Having concluded their Division One title-winning campaign, attention turned to the SMCCFL Martin Betton Cup, with a home semi-final to Division Two promotion hopefuls St Alban’s. The Cheshire side had beaten KSB United handsomely in the first round, and were clearly going to be tough opponents.

Missing from Math Pickup’s squad were Harry Lord, Jonny Birchall, Kingsley Ashworth and Danny Taylor, but back came Dan Mousley, Adam Soruri and Joe Gleave. From the first whistle, it was clear the visitors were up for it, and would fight for everything. They took an early lead when a long ball through the middle saw the dangerous number 7 in on goal, and despite Ben Davies getting a hand to it, the ball trickled over the line.

The KSB response was strong, and they soon levelled, skipper Alex Halliwell turning in a wicked Daven Argile corner, for his first of the season – a season in which the veteran centre back has played every minute of every competitive match. More chances came and went, and also various players’ names were taken by referee Dale Markham.

A turning point came in the second half when Mousley, familiar to a number of the Macc-based opponents, was penalised for pulling an attacker back. Already on a booking, Markham had little alternative but to send the defender from the field. 90 minutes came to an end, with sub Brad Hartley going agonisingly close to hitting a winner. The 30 minutes of extra time also saw chances spurned, and ultimately the match would be decided by a tense penalty shootout.

Spot kicks were converted by Adam Soruri, Daven Argile, Jozef Janusz, Isaac Whitham, Alex Marsh and Joe Gleave, but missed by Ryan Clarke and Adam Taylor. Thankfully, one more St Alban’s player missed their penalty, with KSB running out 6-5 winners.

A final against regular opponents St Elizabeth’s awaits the Streeters on 11th May, for what could be a league and cup double-winning season!