Westminster Casuals F.C.

The Westminster Casuals were back in League Cup action on Saturday, looking to make it three wins from three in February. Second Division strugglers AFC Ewell stood in the way of the semi final berth, and on a sticky pitch, with a strong wind, a potential banana skin lay in wait.

Gaffer Skel named the same starting eleven as last weeks South Godstone game, and was delighted to welcome back Andy Thirsk and Nico Heslop into the squad.

After a relatively uneventful first 20 minutes, the Casuals began to exert pressure on the Ewell goal. A wonderful crossfield ball from the impressive Davey Mac sprang the off side trap and sent Sam Holder through. A heavy touch allowed the keeper to make a save, however the Casuals were looking threatening.

The Casuals' pressure was eventually rewarded five minutes before half time. Andy Barnett dispossessed a Ewell player on the half way line, immediately releasing the new Angry Man - Ian Hardy. The Hitman did what he does best, coolly finishing past the onrushing keeper for his fifth goal of the season.

The second half was a comfortable affair, with the Grumpy Green Giant not having a save to make. Holder was always a threat, and on another day might have had a couple of goals. The game was finally put to bed when new dad Ian Hardy was scythed down with the goal at his mercy. Gaffer Skel stepped up and despatched the resulting penalty.

Skelly was delighted with the result that sets up the Casuals' first semi final appearance in four years. "Not the easiest conditions to play in but it was a clinical job" he said.

Overall a satisfying win in tricky conditions. The Casuals will be looking to take the momentum of three wins on the spin into Saturday's crunch game with title hopefuls FC Triangle, a team that beat the Casuals 5-0 back in November.