This Second Round President's Cup match was played at Castlevale's new home pitch on the artificial surface at Castlebrae High School and produced a cup upset.  SC United Edinburgh joined the ESAFA at the beginning of the 2007/8 season and since then they have turned in a series of impressive performances that deservedly see them leading the Minto Hotel Second Division. The meeting with Premier Castlevale would undoubtedly be a real test for them.

The home side began well, dominating possession and putting pressure on United side, testing United keeper Jaroslaw Staszewski from long range. But it was the visitors who d took the lead in the 25th minute, when Pawel Szymanski shot from 25 yards after Maciej Szczepanski's pass.

As the half-hour approached Castlevale midfielder let loose a blistering shot from 20 yards that was curled towards the top corner, requiring a full-stretch from United's keeper Staszewski. United pushed forward, looking for second goal, but Bartosz Kasprzak and Mirek Gwizdz both had shots just past the post.  As the interval approached, Castlevale managed to sneak through the United defence but, having done the hard bit, put the ball over the bar.

After the break,  the end-to-end football continued, and seven minutes in Castlevale were denied twice - the first time when Staszewski was forced to make a good, low save after a poor clearance, then minutes later Staszewski made another outstanding save from 15 yards.  In the 55th minute Kaczmarek handled the ball in the penalty area, but Castlevale missed the spot kick.
 
This triggered a double substitution and change of formation for United, with  Marcin Grzedowski replacing the injured Bartosz Kasprzak and Przemyslaw Szczecinski coming on for Maciej Szczepanski. The change seemed to work and although both players had shots just wide, United started to dominate.

On the hour, a Gwizdz free kick for a foul on Marcin Fortak somehow evaded keeper David Cole and bounced fortuitously into the Castlevale goal. With 20th minutes to go United made the last substitution, Lukasz Cieply replacing Boguslaw Kaczmarek

 

In the 76th minute, a superb run up the right flank by Szczecinski culminated with a 15 yard shot into the bottom corner of the net to further strengthen United's lead.  The game boiled over on 82 minutes when Pawel Szymanski was fouled and Castlevale were reduced to ten men but there is no doubt that United Edinburgh deserved their 3-0 victory and place in the third round draw which sees their unbeaten run extended to ten games.


SC United Edinburgh - left to right

Back row :
Rafal Kowalski, Lukasz Kedzior, Boguslaw Kaczmarek, Pawel Szpynda, Jaroslaw Staszewski, Oktawian Nitka, Michal Ryba, Maciej Szczepanski, Lukasz Zuk, Kamil Pastusiak
Front row:
Lukasz Cieply, Marian Kowalski, Pawel Szymanski, Marcin Grzedowski, Piotr Dziegiel, Bartosz Kasprzak, Piotr Motyl, Dariusz Lobaz