Late winner: Coalition Crusaders, who beat Brasenose 2-1

Published: 19 February, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

FC LOTUS survived a scare as they came from 3-1 down to beat Auld Shillelagh in a topsy-turvy quarter-final in the Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup, which we proudly sponsor, at Hackney Marshes. 

But the division two side don’t have much time to savour their win as they’re back in action this Sunday when they take on AFC Shooters in the semi-finals. 

FC Lotus made the ideal start in their quarter-final when winger Danny Carl fired them into an early lead. 

Auld Shillelagh equalised courtesy of a great run and finish from Adam Clarke, who cut in from the right wing and placed his shot past the keeper from a tight angle. 

Clarke was soon celebrating his second following a neat finish with the outside of his foot, before Auld Shillelagh’s undoubted man-of-the-match was brought down for a penalty, which was converted by Seb Bance to make it 3-1. 

Thriller winners: FC Lotus beat Auld Shillelagh 4-3 after a dramatic come-back

FC Lotus were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a soft penalty on the stroke of half time after Kwame Adofo was adjudged to have brought down Marvin Patterson. 

Captain Jack Taylor led by example as he smashed home the resulting spot kick, before scoring again early in the second half to level the scores. 

With just minutes left on the clock FC Lotus completed their dramatic come-back when Tony Hirst curled the ball home to seal a pulsating 4-3 victory. 

Challenge Cup holders Coalition Crusaders are a step closer to retaining their crown after beating AFC Brasenose 2-1 on Sunday to book their place in the final four. 

Brasenose took the lead and looked odds-on to cause an upset up until the 75th minute when clever play led to Lewis Williams equalising for the Crusaders. 

There was still time for a late winner, which came courtesy of leading scorer Mustafa Baskal who scored yet another important goal for Crusaders to seal a 2-1 win.