Vereinigung Erzgebirge beats short-handed Christos FC to advance to Region 1 Amateur Cup semifinal

Vereinigung Erzgebirge is headed to the USASA Region 1 Amateur Cup semifinal for the first time since 2021 thanks to a 5-1 win over a short-handed Christos FC team on Sunday afternoon at home.

Derek Antonini had a hat trick and Bobby Hennessey and Conner Budniak added goals to round out the scoring for VE, which saw a 2-0 lead evaporate on a goal by Christian Correra. Christos FC, a Maryland amateur power, arrived to the game short-handed and played all 90 minutes with just 10 players.

Head coach Rob Oldfield said it was important that his group still approach the game the same way and not be overconfident given the numbers at the outset.

“I told these guys we wanted to dictate play,” Oldfield said. “We didn’t know how many guys were going to show up so we had to put it to them while you can. We know what it’s like, you have to travel well and at some point you have to travel on the road and win. They knew it was going to be an uphill battle and we knew we had to put them away but the goal just before the half was one of these mental mistakes we keep having. That’s the kind of stuff we have to cut out.”

While Antonini is no stranger to the team, newcomers like Hennessey and Daniel Bloyou showed their quality throughout and were able to use the extra space given to create opportunities.

“There’s a lot of great talent; I’m happy to be part of the group and to add to it,” Bloyou said. “Once we got possession in the final third and spreading the ball out wide we were able to find Derek’s feet the game opened up a lot for us.”

With the score 2-1 Bloyou was able to get into the box and get a shot on goal that was saved but Hennessey was there to clean up the rebound and blast it in to make it 3-1. Antonini minutes later completed his hat trick on the break and Budniak had a lovely curling left-footed strike freeze the goalkeeper.

With West Chester United falling last weekend to Los Toros, VE is now the last local side left in the competition and is aiming to get to the June final at Ukrainian American Sport Center in North Wales.

“As a competitor it’s always more fun when there’s something to play for and this is my first year with these guys so it will be nice to win something with them,” Hennessey said. “It would also be big for this club and this area. I just hope we can keep it going.”

Second half highlights from @VEClub and @ChristosFC

Derek Antonini completes his hat-trick, and VE adds more goals from Bobby Hennessey and Connor Budnaiak to win 5-1. pic.twitter.com/u1OTPRtndZ

— Backyard Pitches (@BackyardPitches) April 26, 2026

First half highlights between @VEClub and @ChristosFC . Derek Antonini scores twice for VE and Christian Correra for Christos. pic.twitter.com/7GVQttcv1p

— Backyard Pitches (@BackyardPitches) April 26, 2026