COOKE KEEPS CARDEA IN THE CUP

Cardea FC (4-5-1): Dave Hardingham; Anthony Kiernan, Stuart Yaxley (c), Dale Moore, Michael Williams; Kynan Bereznyckyj, Aaron Yeoman John Reddell, Shane Cooke, Alex Goymour; Luke Penman. Subs: Daryn Whiteman, Ryan Moore.

Cardea overcame a string of early morning pull outs to produce a fantastic performance and knock out Parkway in an entertaining game.

Parkway controlled the majority of possession but struggled to get past the Cardea back four, made up of four centre backs, helped by the two wingbacks Goymour and Bereznyckyj.

Parkway had a few early shots from outside the area which went just wide and keeper Dave "Saves" Hardingham did well to hold onto a shot that bounced just in front of him.

The first real chance of the game was produced by Cardea. Goymour ran into space behind the left back and cut it back for Penman 8 yards out but his shot flew over the bar.

Cardea also went close from a corner midway through the first half but Williams header also went over the bar.

Cardea took the lead against the run of play with 36 minutes played. It was a magnificent solo run from Cooke who ran into the area, taking on and beating three players, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. A definite contender for goal of the season.

The lead was short lived though as three minutes later Parkway won a penalty in controversial circumstances. Yeoman pulled the striker back on the edge of the area but the referee pointed to the spot and the kick was converted to level the scores up.

On the stroke of half time there was more controversy as Cardea had a goal ruled out. A free kick was swung in and took a flick on the way before Cooke headed it in with a diving effort only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

With the Cardea players annoyed at half time they came out well in the second half and it was Cooke who made up for his disallowed goal. Williams swung a free kick in from half way and Cooke's header was saved by the keeper but Cooke was quickest to the rebound to give Cardea the lead.

As Parkway pressed and pressed for an equaliser Cardea attempted to catch them on the break with the pace of Goymour and Penman. One attack saw Penman hit the upright and the ball bounce out to safety.

Cardea did extend their lead thanks to a counter attack down the left. Substitute Ryan Moore exchanged passes with Cooke and beat a man in the area, his shot was saved by the keeper but Penman was in the right place to tap in for a two goal cushion with 15 minutes to play.

Parkway produced attack after attack but the Cardea defence and keeper held firm (with some help of the woodwork) until the 87th minute when Parkway pulled a goal back with a header from a free kick.

But the goal came too late and Cardea held on to make the semi final of the Hereward Cup.

After the game a delighted manager Craig Robinson said: "Odds were all against today, with players pulling out, our keeper not showing up without letting us know and Parkway turning up 10 minutes late. Big thanks to Dave for stepping up and going in goal!

"Massive credit to all 13 lads today. Parkway are a quality team, blessed with ex professionals and old and current UCL players so to match them and beat them shows how well we played.

"We backed each up in tackles and pressed the play well. Penman defended from the top. First 30 I think we showed them a bit to much respect but once we settled into the game we caused them lots of problems.

The back 4 were superb, the midfield 5 worked all game and pressed for 90 minutes. Dave's kicked was good throughout.

Could have given anyone man of the match but I've gone with Shane, for his 2 goals, direct running and aerial power!

Congratulations boys, be proud of that performance! On to another semi-final."

Cardea FC have a week off next week with Cardea Reserves taking centre stage with a league game versus Peterborough Athletic.