Harriers on the spot to book final place
CHERRY TREE ................. 1 HELMSHORE HARRIERS..... 1
Helmshore Harriers FC beat Cherry Tree CC FC 5-4 on penalties
HELMSHORE Harriers reached only their second ever cup final in their 19-year history, as they beat Cherry Tree in a thrilling penalty shootout at Pleasington Playing Fields.
Cherry Tree had taken a first half lead before Sam Lloyd equalised in the second half, leaving their fate to be decided from penalty kicks.
Harriers came into the semi final full of confidence, coming off the back of an 8-0 victory in the quarter final and started the brighter of the two sides. Some neat passages of play saw both Harry Tonge and Pete
Burns put some decent balls into the box that were well dealt with by the Cherry Tree back line.
Cherry Tree would grow into the game though and grabbed the first half by the scruff of its neck. A few warning shots came in, but were well dealt with by the defensive quartet of Jack McNevinDuff, Jordan Warburton, Tom Harding and Rob Barcroft.
The defensive hard work would soon be undone however after some intricate passing from the Cherry Tree attack. They were able to flick the ball over a Harriers defender in the box and slot beyond keeper, Jake Chadwick.
Cherry Tree continued to pressurise the Harriers defence but being limited to shots from distance they were unable to double their lead.
With half-time approaching, Harriers should have levelled the score when the ball fell to the feet of Martyn Hillier after a swift counterattack by Harry Tonge, but his effort was well saved.
Hillier, the Helmshore captain, had been playing through an injury from the quarter final win and couldn’t quite get enough purchase on the ball. Shortly after, he exited the field due to said injury until the last minute of the 90.
Level at half time, the cry coming from the Harriers dugout was to up the intensity and pressure. That cry would pay dividends as well, as Helmshore would score their equaliser early into the second half.
Ryan Sidley whipped in a dangerous corner which was met by Lloyd, his original header was blocked on the line, but his follow up attempt was prodded home.
Harriers continued to press with Christian Tonge and Adam Coates chasing down every loose touch and not giving the Cherry Tree midfield a moment to rest.
In their search for the winner a whipped McNevin-Duff cross was met by the head of Tom Schofield, but his looping header was tipped over the bar.
With full-time getting nearer and nearer, Cherry Tree resorted to long balls that were comfortably dealt with. With the whistle looming, a tactical switch was then made by the Harriers in regards to potential penalty takers and shortly after, the full time whistle blew at 1-1.
Cherry Tree won the toss and would take the first spot kick, which was well saved by Harriers keeper Chadwick. Barcroft then stepped up for Harriers and sent the keeper the wrong way to give Helmshore the advantage.
Cherry Tree scored their second, with Harry Tonge stepping up for Harriers. His penalty was saved however, leaving the penalty scores at 1-1.
Both teams were able to convert their third penalties, with Christian Tonge finishing emphatically for Harriers.
Chadwick would turn hero once more, as he saved Cherry Tree’s fourth penalty as Harriers looked to take advantage. Tom Harding stepped up, but his penalty was then well saved by the Cherry Tree keeper, making it 2-2 after four penalties each.
Cherry Tree scored their fifth penalty, with captain Martyn Hillier tasked with sending the shoot out to sudden death. Hillier stepped up and confidently struck the ball into the top righthand corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Cherry Tree scored their sixth, with Chris Walker duly doing likewise.
Chadwick then made his third stop of the shoot out, leaving Harriers a spot kick away from the inal. Up stepped Pete Burns and he confidently stroked the ball home off the keeper’s toe, sending all associated with the Harriers into a frenzy.
The Cup Final will be held at Griffin Park, BB2 2BN, K.O. at 10:30 AM, June 20th, supporters are welcomed with entry only £2 a head. All details can be found on Twitter @ HelmshoreHFC so be sure to head over & support your only local adult Sunday League team!