Cup competition number three and yet another tie against Division 2 opponents. This time it was a first qualifying round first leg game against Big House and the Village got home advantage. Only two changes were made from the previous game as Ritchie replaced Steve and Darren came in for the unavailable Nic. With Currie back in but on the bench and they made a really bright start and could have been a couple of goals up inside the first five minutes. However a wrong bounce and a missed placed cross meant an early advantage eluded them. They were carving open the visitors with ease especially down the left wing and with Sweeney, Brian and Booey all just failing to hit the target it just seemed a matter of time before the flood gates opened. Then against the run of play Big House who had already seen one of their players blast wide when clean through took the lead when from one of numerous long throws they forced the ball in from close range. So the Village now had a game on their hands and Darren was lucky not to concede a possible second goal and get sent off when he pulled a forward down when clean through. The ref somewhat amazingly played on and this was to the first of several strange decisions. Sensing a major let off the Village stormed back and got their deserved equaliser just before the half time whistle when Chrissy played in Booey and he fired in from the six yard box at the second attempt. All level at the interval the home side now had to make a switch as Darren came off injured, so Cottier moved in to the defence and Currie took on the holding role in midfield. With the wind behind them, which they took a while to adapt to they still dominated but failed to make the most of some good attacking play. Sweeney just had one of those days in front of goal and when Booey was sent tumbling by the keeper, the day was summed up as the ref again waved play on. A tactical switch saw Booey move out to the right and Tommy came in up front. Chances still came and went but with under 10 minutes left a great bit of play down the right wing by Booey saw him beat a couple of defenders and send in a cross which Ritchie headed home via the far post for the winner. So the Village take a slim one goal advantage in to the second leg in their next game but will they rue all those missed chances? Time will tell. Overall another good performance and a third win over higher opposition with this weeks M.O.M going to the outstanding Leigh for a commanding show in defence.