The referee for today's Divsion 2 Semi Final at Hampson Park was D.Wisson.
The Lion's starting eleven: Gardner, A.Jefferies, French, Collier, P.Farr, Dye(C), D.Jefferies, Burnage, Crisp, Canning, Collins.
A typical start to a cup tie, with both teams pushing to make an early impression. Although Breachwood had the early possesion, it was King Pin that took the lead. Pin played the ball over the Lion's defence, Gardner, returning to the number spot after the injury to Sanchez last week, raced to clear the ball. The clearance only got as far as a King Pin player arriving on the edge of the box and he returned it goalwards. Gardner was able to dive and get an hand on the ball, but not enough to prevent the ball rolling over the goal line.
Unshaken, the Lion's went back on the attack driven on by a very vocal Captain Dye. The equaliser came when French headed the ball out of defence to Danny Jefferies, Jefferies hit a visionary ball over a King Pin defence who were high up the pitch from their previous attack. The ball bounce behind the last defender as Ali Collins raced in and with one touch lobbed the King Pin keeper from 35 yards.
Moments later Collins nearly got another as his cross from out wide on the left hit the top of the crossbar.
Lion's won a corner. Burnage whipped in the cross, French came close at the near post, but the ball found its way back to Burnage out wide. Burnage delivered a another precision cross into the six yard box. The King Pin keeper made a reflex save from an Ian Canning header at the near post, but Ali Collins was on hand to bury the ball into the back of the net to give Lion's the lead.
Captain Dye ensured Lion's kept the lead by battling back and helping out the defence and allowing Pete Farr to speed off down the left wing with a one two with Ian Canning.
Adam Jefferies and Ian Collier were quick at the back to ensure that King Pin's chances were restricted to corners and the ocassional free kick.
Collins fired a low shot that was saved by the keeper, Ian Canning came in from the left to pick up the loose ball and played it back across the goalkeeper from a tight angle into the far corner of the net to give the Lion's a 3 -1 lead.
Graham Crisp managed to work the space well in midfield and fired a shot from deep to keep up the pressure on King Pin.
Collin's was determined to get a first half hatrick but was brought down on the edge of the box. He took the freekick himself, only for his shot to cannon off the crossbar.
King Pin nearly managed to get back into the game before half time with a headed chance at goal that looked like it was on its way into the top corner, until goalkeeper Wayne Gardner made an athletic save and tipping the ball over the bar.
Breachwood lead 3-1 at half time.
As the second half developed, more space opened up for Danny Jefferies and Danny Dye in the midfield as King Pin were pushing forward to salvage the tie.
Midway through the second half, Andy Fildes replaced Pete Farr and John Harvey replaced Ian Canning.
Harvey proved to be a trick customer for the King Pin defence as he stopped the ball going out of play by the corner flag and then outmanovered two defenders to pick out a cross to the far post for Adam Burnage to score from close range.
With fifteen minutes to go Harrison replaced a hardworking Graham Crisp. Harvey picked up a Harrison pass on the left and further terrorised the King Pin defence.But in the dying minutes of the game King Pin won a free kick on the edge of the area. The free kick found the head of a King Pin forward who directed the ball past Gardner.
Breachwood Lion's won 4-2 and now face Station in the Final
Captain Danny Dye was the Manager's Man of the Match.
Substitute Not used: Rob Pearson
A Big thank you to our travelling supporters and injured players!, including: Beeny, Laura, Ash, Merg, Ken, The Jefferies, Pete & Jose.
