Jenkins lashes new Tics into a second semi-final

Sylvans 0, Athletics 1

ATHLETICS can look forward to another cup semi-final after Tom Jenkins' 26th-minute strike edged them past Sylvans at St Peter's.

But it also required much defensive resilience from the maroon-and-whites who encountered a side determined to salvage something from their own season with a good cup run.

And didn't the young westerners try hard to get a win for their admirably cool and phlegmatic coach, Clive Bateman.

The home team were much the more determined team from the start, and it showed in their play.

But when Jenkins struck with a fine opportunistic goal the shoulders dropped across much of the home team and, with it, so too did the work rate and pressing high up the pitch.

The point was not lost on Bateman who, as usual, put a brave face on things.

'We started better than we did against the Rec. In fact, it was the best we have started for a long time.

'The lads gave a lot more effort that what they have.'

Steve Ogier, his opposite number, was not gloating.

'It's called winning ugly,' were his first words.