Each year, the FA Cup brings the English football consumer, entertainment that (apparently) no other country brings to the table, as the joy of a second knock-out tournament makes its yearly appraisal.

And now, our journey has brought us to a completely underwhelming semi-final, where even the mere glimpse of the ties makes you wonder if the FA Cup itself is out to ruin its own enjoyment.

The Academies played California's Arsenal FC this morning in the cold drizzle at Starfire, and I thought I'd swing by to catch the U-18 match, which turned out to be a tale of two halves. It was a good showing from the homem side, with about 20-30 ECS (complete with drum and some flags) and about 20 other miscellaneous supporters along the sideline.