The Pirate players headed into this game knowing that nothing less than a win would suffice in the Empal Division 2 top of the table clash.  The scene had been set pre Christmas when an injury ravaged Pirates side lost their first league game in over 2 seasons to the team they faced today.  During this game there were many insults directed towards the Pirate players and these were still strongly at the front of the players’ minds today as they wanted to show Bestwood and the rest of the Empal that they are still a team to be reckoned with!

Tight game where the Pirate players gave a great account of themselves competing for everything against a side with more quality than any I've seen in my 4 seasons playing in the EMPAL!

For 65 minutes the score remained 0-0 until Arnold broke the deadlock with a slick passing move being finished by the well travelled Alan Jeffries!  The game remained 1-0 until the final seconds of the game when the Pirates had a free kick just outside the area, everyone was thrown forward including the keeper but after a scramble in the 18 yard box the ball was cleared and Jeffries was able to walk the ball home, the final whistle sounding immediately after!

A great game for the neutral between arguably the EMPAL’s best 2 sides bar none!

Pirates goalscorer Frankie Labbate with a powerful header from a Nick Labbate cross.  Not a great game, every Pirates player was at the Pirates managers Mum's 50th birthday party taking full advantage of the free bar!

Pirates took an early lead after good interplay down the left between Adam Campbell, Nick Labbate and Frankie Labbate, the latter eventually twisting the oppositions right back inside out before crossing for Roy Kileavy to smash home.  Fox & Crown levelled soon after when they took advantage of a defensive error and going clean through and slotting home.  It wasn't until the second half when the Pirates restored their lead, Paolo Piliero whipped in a clever corner hard and low to the front stick where Anthony Fragola had made a great run, chipping the ball up and smashing it home on the volley.

All in all a very tight game and a sign of things to come in the latter stages of the league cup.

Wollaton Pirates faced Division 1 side Fox & Crown in the 1/4 Final of the County Cup, a competition in which they were losing finalists last season.  The fixture had some excitement surrounding it as not only would the Pirates face Fox & Crown in the County Cup but we will also face them in the Empal Cup, add to this the fact that they beat us on penalties in the Empal Cup last season and it became clear that this would be a great game!

Wollaton Pirates travelled to Bilsthorpe to play against Mansfield based side Innovate FC in the 3rd round of the County Cup.  Playing on an immaculate playing surface the Pirates soon found their swashbuckling swagger dominating early proceedings with some crisp passing football that even Arsene Wenger would have been proud of.

The Pirates entered this away match Vs rivals Punjab Colts on a high after some credible wins in recent weeks with many first team players missing. Today the Pirates welcomed back centre midfield duo Mark Long and Adam Campbell, as well as new signings Paul Markowski and Richard Bradley.

Pirates progress to the third round of the EMPAL Cup with a win against Ardley

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