Published: 11 February, 2016
by STEVE BARNETT

IT was clear to see just how much the players wanted to win the Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup at the weekend. 

There were stunning goals, acrobatic saves and plenty of tough tackling at the Marshes. 

But the passion spilled over on more than one occasion as there were also red cards, while one game even had to be abandoned. 

Two goals from Chris Vassiliou and a strike from Tom Maguire, along with an own goal, saw Tufnell Park beat AFC Brasenose 4-3 after extra-time. 

There was plenty of blood and thunder as Cobden Athletic took on Clerkenwell Old Boys. 

Clerkenwell took an early lead through Jamie Salvoni, but rivals Cobden soon equalised when Luke Morgan’s cross was tucked home by Clerkenwell defender Tom Salvoni for an own goal. 

The decisive moment of the match came on the stroke of half-time when Morgan was sent off after picking up his second yellow of the game. The Cobden players were outraged as they felt at the very least, Clerkenwell’s Mark Shirley should also have seen red for his part in the mêlée. 

Cobden keeper David Willis Jr did his best to thwart his rivals as he turned in a man-of-the-match display, but Clerkenwell made their extra man count late on as goals from Tom Salvoni and Dan Attard sealed a 3-1 win. 

With three goals coming in the last seven minutes Badu’s game against Crouch End Rangers should have been the footballing highlight of the weekend – especially with the quality of the goals on display. 

Badu’s Alfred Mugabo scored twice, the second a stunning free-kick, while Declan Taylor and Jon Taylor scored for Rangers as the topsy-turvy game ended 2-2. 

But the scheduled extra-time never took place as Badu’s Sama Kamara talked himself into a red card – which sparked ugly scenes between both sets of players and left referee Simon Higgins with no choice but to abandon the game.