Paul Cartmell Memorial Trophy First Round Results

The holders (Fred) safely through, Nil Satis will get a chance to defend the Charity Shield while YTFIB and MBB provide the surprises.

Aardvark Abacus 3 v 3 Claymore Athletic FC
Athletico Phoenix 1 v 3 Trusted By Millions
Cheese Makers 1 v 2 San Dimas High School
Markian United 0 v 2 Real Muppets
Mega Buck Bandits 4 v 0 The Cow-Faced Juniors
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 1 v 2 The Fabulous Artisans
The Wateringhole Society 0 v 3 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI
YTFIB 2 v 1 Wheel Madrid

Replay

Claymore Athletic FC 2 v 4 Aardvark Abacus

I think it would be rude not to start with the holders so I’ll say that Mo Salah set Fred on his way with a goal against the Wateringhole Society after half an hour that ended up as a 3-0 win. It would be ruder not to give a big mention to Mega Bucks who smashed the CFJs 4-0. Antonio Valencia’s early strike put Dave ahead and three cleans (one from Valencia) rounded out the big win. It’s only the second time in 15 seasons that Dave has won a PCMT first round match.

Another team that have had a poor trot in this tournament are YTFIB. Julian broke an eight year first round losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Wheel Madrid. Jermain Defoe getting his first for his new club along the way. At the other end of that scale San Dimas have the longest current run making it past the first round. That now stands at six after Christian Atsu and Romelu Lukaku got my goals in a 2-1 win over Cheese Makers.

Athletico will get a chance to win the Charity Shield for a third time after bowing out to Trusted. Gabriel Jesus and Nicolas Otamendi notched for Beef to give him a cushion before Anthony Martial’s late response. The current Charity Shield holders, Nil Satis, will get a chance to retain the trophy after being knocked out by the Artisans. Clean sheets getting the job done for Ben in a 2-1 win.

Our league leaders kept up their form too. The Muppets left it late to beat Markian 2-0, Raheem Sterling opened the scoring from the spot, to let the new boys know this isn’t going to be straightforward. One game goes to a replay - Aardvarks v Claymore. Sergio Aguero's hat-trick for Clive not enough to see off Ady’s team.

Ady's resilience gave him a second bite of the cherry and he delivered in the replay. A first first round exit for Claymore in four seasons at least gives Clive a chance to win the only trophy that has so far eluded him. Has big-money signing Alexandre Lacazette sent Ady on his way to his first PCMT final since 2005/6 I wonder?