PCMT 1st Round Results

The holders get a scare but live to face a replay.

Final Fantasy XI 2 v 0 Athletico Phoenix
Mega Buck Bandits 3 v 3 The Fabulous Artisans
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 2 v 2 Fred West LG XI
Real Muppets 0 v 1 San Dimas High School
The Cheese Makers 1 v 2 Claymore Athletic FC
The Dead Parrots 1 v 3 Trusted By Millions
You Know Your Boston Rock FC 1 v 0 Aardvark Abacus
YTFIB 2 v 7 The Cow-Faced Juniors

Only two teams from last season's bottom half won through to the quarter-finals and as they're both in this season's top four we can hardly describe those as shocks.

Final Fantasy kept up their early season good form when downing Athletico Phoenix. Two second-half Demba Ba goals decided this one., the first an exquisite over the shoulder volley, the second a handball missed by the officials. Brian's consolation is that he will now defend his Charity Shield. Boston Rock and the Aardvarks have won the PCMT eight times between them but it's only Sheriff that will have a chance this year. A cagey game was settled when Darren Bent was left unmarked to slam home with 10 minutes left.

Two ties went to a replay. Perennial first round exiters Mega Bucks gave holders The Fabulous Artisans a real scare, leading 3-1 five minutes into the second half. A quick reply from Jimmy Kebe and a clean from Asmir Begovic saved Ben's blushes. Nil Satis and Fred West are still looking for a first win after drawing 2-2. Two goals from Nikica Jelavic gave Paul a first half lead but Nani replied for Fred just after the break and these two will try again this weekend.

The CFJs were at their devastating best battering YTFIB 7-2, one of the biggest wins in the competition's history. Luis Suarez often misses a few but he was clinical this week and set up the win for Chris. The Dead Parrots picked up a big win over Trusted last week but Beef made sure there was no repeat this time. Clean sheets from Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross made the difference.

Claymore Athletic could hold all three major trophies if they win the PCMT and they're through to the last eight after holding off the Cheese Makers. Leon Osman and Sergio Aguero scored before the break and while Shane Long reduced the deficit Clive's team held on. The Real Muppets v San Dimas game was low quality and settled by a goalkeeping clean in my favour.

Quarter finals in both competitions are the first weekend in November, the draws will be held after the replays.