Middlesex FA Intermediate Cup
St Panteleimon 7 – AFC Hayes Reserves 0
(Katsikas 2, Wilson 2, Monti 2, Salapatas)
The Hive – Half-Time 3-0
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This week the Saints’ dance of choice was the Samba. But it took a good 20 minutes for the engine to warm up. The Saints could not find their shooting boots, never mind about their dancing shoes.
Flat and unconvincing football marred the first quarter of the game with a nervy and tentative start.
But Anton Wilson broke the deadlock after 20 minutes with poacher’s goal. This relaxed St Panteleimon. And the moves started coming together.
Captain Roberto Katsikas added a good second after 42 minutes. Then cutting into space and shooting low, Nick Salapatas scored a peach after 44 minutes.
3-0 at half time.
In the second half, the team was on fire. Superb performances from Wilson, Guillerme Monti and Katsikas took the Saints into top gear and it was beautiful to watch.
A great fan turnout also enjoyed the goals. They kept on coming. Katsikas getting his second. The Saints also hit the woodwork a couple of times as well.
Monti added one with precision finishing. 5-0.
He is one of the four Brazilian signings that the Saints made from AEK London in the summer. His silky Brazilian skills showed the opposition about touch, pace and timing. Pure dance.
Then on 72 minutes, some lovely passing opened the left wing for Monti, as he took the ball on to an acute angle and cut the ball across the goalkeeper and into the far corner. Easily the goal of the season so far. A beauty. And 6-0.
The fans were jubilant and Wilson added a 7th on the final whistle.
Unbeaten in the league and in two Cups, the blessed team marches on.
The heroes we hardly write about were just as solid as always. Donald Manaj in goal with yet another clean sheet, and the strong back four, showing impenetrable strength and fire.
The samba is a lively, rhythmical Afro-Brazilian dance in 2/4 time.
The Saints made it their own.
Photos Alexios Gennaris