Coeur, as seems to have become customary over the past few weeks, exploded out of the blocks and took the lead inside the first few minutes. A corner was whipped in from the right and Michael Carr found himself with just enough time and space to drill the ball home at the far post to give Coeur the lead. This was just the start Coeur had wanted and Bootleians were devestated as they had hardly touched the ball and found themselves a goal down to the side with the meanest defence in the league. Bootleians were playing some nice football at the back, but not really in areas advanced enough to be hurting Coeur. Coeur doubled their lead after 20 minutes and again it was centre half Michael Carr providing the killer touch. Derrick Burns floated a free kick deep to the back post where both Neil Shelley and Michael Carr were lurking. Shelely nodded the ball down and Carr was sharply onto it nicking the ball past a defender and firing home. Coeur were 2 - 0 up and in truth hadn't played anywhere near their best football.
Bootleians were stung into action and had lively forwards who proved a stern test of Coeur's defence. Firstly a defender cut inside Andy Rannard and fired in a shot that Si Furlong did well to tip round the post, then calamity for Coeur. Rannard was faced with a forward who attempted to have a strike at the ball, the forward didn't get anything on the shot but caught his foot on Rannard and his momentum caused him to fall to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot despite Coeur's protest. The forward even admitted to Andy Rannard that it wasn't a pen and he had in fact kicked him. Anyway the penalty was struck low to the keeper's right past the despairing dive of the Fat Cat and it struck the base of the post and snook over the line and into the net. Coeur were gutted, but responded immeadiately. Si Furlong played a glorious 80 yard ball over the top of the Bootleians defence (Ok so it was a big punt out of his hands but hey it still counts) were both Craig Burns and Mike Smith had broken the offside trap. The 'carefully judged spin' on the ball saw it bounce of Craig's @rse and wide of the keeper and into the path of Mike Smith. Mike took a touch to control the ball, then slid it into the empty net with his brand new 'Royal Blue and Lime' boots

Half Time 3 - 1

The second half saw some decent football from both sides, but it was Bootleians who managed to get the break through. The ball came in from the right and a couple of attempted clearances were missed before the forward hooked the ball home from 12 yards. Coeur had chances and Mally Harper was unfortunate not to extend Coeur's lead as a header flashed just over the bar after a good Coeur move. Bootleians were also looking forward and working hard to pull the game level. A corner came in from the left and the keeper and defender had a coming together, the ball dropped loose and Neil Shelley had a rush of blood to the head as he handled the ball. The ref took a long hard look and then awarded Bootleians their second spot kick of the game, though this time Coeur could have no arguments. Bootleians top scorer (the lad behind the goal claimed he had scored over 20 goals already this season, although I am not sure of the accuracy of the claim) placed the ball on the spot and hit it low to the keeper's left. Again Si Furlong went the right way, but this time he was able to reach it, and a strong left hand deflected the ball away from the goal. Thankfully Shelley stopped short of kissing Si, but you could see the relief in his eyes, as Coeur remained ahead in the tie.

With 15 minutes to go, Bootleians were reduced to 10 men as their last defender hauled down Craig Burns as he burst clear of the defence looking to kill the game off. Desgy stepped up to take the free kick from just outside the box and curled the ball about 40 yards away from the goal, to the disgust of both Craig and Michael Carr who fancied the kick themselves. Bootleians still tried to press forward, but never really troubled Coeur, with Si only have to catch a shot from about 30 yards. An excellent win against a previously undefeated side. Coeur were never under any serious pressure (penalty aside), despite never getting near top gear. A workman like performance which sees Coeur through to the next round of the Bill Hughes Cup.

Full Time 3 - 2