Quarter Final Leg 2 Results and Reaction
Posted: 05 Jun 2026, 19:11
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Sunderland
In a reversal of the first fixture, both teams set out to win it from the start making it a real arm wrestle of a match. Or at least Sunderland did, with 11 fouls to the home side's three. The physical approach saw us eke out enough control of the midfield to put Jackson on the ball facing forward and dribbling. And he just needed that little moment to try it on and ended up beating Vicario for the sole goal of the game.
It was a nervy final 15 minutes or so because we know what Palace can do if they get half a sniff, I ended up emptying the bench to protect the lead but couldn't predict Keto deciding to HEAD away Muniz's shot... heart in mouth there and I would have flogged the hide off him if we'd conceded there.
But we didn't, Keto keeps his hide and we progress into the semi finals. Leamington saw off Spurs over BOTH legs - impressive, I'd be worried about having to come up against them. I think we are the last Super League side left in the competition. I won't go talking up our chances because the draw's not out yet, but you'd say all four sides fancy themselves for a finals berth and even some silverware. I think there's also a world challenge cup place on offer for the winners too, which is added incentive and revenue. Imagine if Leamington can get there, that would be great fun!. Would they even be able to meet the ground requirements and things like that though?
No matter what happens though, the cup will go home to someone who hasn't won much recently, that's great areas for the league.