News

Polska comfortably pass first County Cup hurdle

(contributed by Mark Whait - 01/10/2006)

LEICESTER POLSKA comfortably saw off Hinckley Knight 2-0 to reach the second round of the County Cup. Keeping their first clean sheet since February, a disciplined Polska side scored a goal in each half to book their ticket for the next stage. Chris Rudkin kept up his impressive early season form and opened the scoring on 7 minutes, shooting past the Hinckley keeper from the right hand edge of the area after a great pass from Mark Inglis. Savvo Wieczorek then had a 'goal' ruled out for offside on 14 minutes after following up a Mark Inglis shot. Hinckley had their first shot on goal on 25 minutes, firing wide after they capitalised on a Luke Dyke slip. Chris Rudkin then shot over the bar on 35 minutes after the Hinckley keeper fumbled a save. Polska then put together a fantastic passing move on 43 minutes, starting with Stu Matthews and linking Chris Rudkin and Vernon Harper before Mark Inglis finished it off by shooting wide. Inglis then shot straight at the keeper late in the first half after being put through by Wieczorek, and from the resulting corner Wieczorek had a downward header saved before Harper shot over the bar. Wieczorek then shot wide on 59 minutes after good work from Gavin Drummond. Hinckley thought they had equalised on 61 minutes, their fierce free kick hitting the underside of the bar, but somehow staying out. Inglis put the game beyond doubt with a stunning strike on 67 minutes, turning his marker expertly and giving the keeper no chance with a powerful shot. Polska thought they had a third when Chris Rudkin headed in a Vernon Harper free kick, but somehow it was incredibly given offside by a biased-looking Hinckley linesman. A good move between Wieczorek and Harper on 80 minutes ended with Harper shooting just over. Thornton came on for Rudkin late on to steady the ship, as Polska marched on to the next round.