Craitman wrote:*Played 18th January*
Elwynn 1-1 Craitland
24' - Ĵ. Ólsen
83' - R. Emiri
Craitland won the inaugural Treesian Memorial Cup by the narrowest of margins - on goals scored - following a one-apiece draw in Elwynn. In a repeat scoreline from their last meeting; last July's Benacia Cup semi-final, in which the Elwynnese came-out on top with a shoot-out victory, the tie was enough for Craitland's slightly superior record against underdogs Arboria to be the clinching factor. While the Craits, playing a notably stronger side than a fortnight ago, were the dominant team, Elwynn's tactical nous served them well with dangerous counter-attacks coming throughout the game. Although struggling domestically since his high-profile move to Mercury in the summer, Ĵulian Ólsen gave a secured performance and opened the scoring midway through the first 45 with a rasping strike from just inside the area following an intelligent flicked assist by Will Zóma, whose confidence is growing in a national team partnership alongside record scorer and captain Freddie Gaärsen. Yngvi Miskjalendzki, as ever, was Elwynn's biggest threat, having the advantage in ærial battles with the Craits' defence, but was unable to find a way past the in-form Kraig Johansen. The second half was much like the first, albeit without a Craitish goal; Gaärsen squandering a couple of good chances with weakened shots straight to Folki Öldrikkari's grasp, however. Into the closing stages and Craitland brought Vän Vanisen on for Zóma, with Senyan-based Aidan Keĵinz also earning a second cap by replacing Gaärsen, in a move designed to shore-up defensively. The formation shift swamped the midfield but Vanisen's first involvement was to concede a clumsy challenge on Dario Sakhimzedeh, taking a card as punishment, with the resulting free-kick being a good delivery by Dånjal ut ur Aldin to find Miskjalendzki, whose header fell to Razdjani Emiri at the otherside of the goal mouth for a knee-jerk poke inside the unguarded post. Craitish calls for offside abound, but the man on the other post was playing the forward on, and the equaliser stood. The defensive-minded Craits hung-on, however, as Elwynn failed to build on the goal in the final minutes, and a draw signalled the completion of the tournament. Although most may not consider conceding three goals to Arboria at home cause to celebrate, that they scored six in the same game gave the Craits the advantage over Elwynn, despite their respective clean sheet and matching goal difference.
With a week to spare before the 2017 qualifiers begin, Elwynn will be content with their performances in their first friendly tournament appearance as they go into their group as favourites. Craitland, for all their faults, are likely to be buoyed by a first trophy since 2011, albeit not a competitive one, ahead of their opener against Mishalan.