17/18 May 2008 @ Haslemere HC
| Sat 17 May - PB 13:00 - Semi-Final 1 | ||||
| London Wayfarers Andrew Just 2m pc, Dane Scott 21m fg, Simon Shoobrook 35m fg, Darran Smith 59m fg | 4 - 2 (3 - 1) | Milton Keynes Toby King 5m pc, Ali McColl 69m fg | ||
Report by Gareth Evans, Tournament Director
London Wayfarers showed great organisation and discipline to beat a tenacious Milton Keynes side. They took the lead in the 2nd minute with a well directed shot by Andrew Just at the first short corner of the game. MK equalised three minutes later with a Toby King flick into the bottom corner. Dane Scott was in the ideal position at the back post to put Wayfarers back into the lead on 21 minutes after the ball was fired across the circle.
The pivotal moment of the game was in the last minute of the half when Isaac Nunn, the Wayfarers keeper, pulled off a miraculous double save to maintain the lead; the ball went from one end to the other with Simon Shoobrook on hand to extend the lead seconds before the half time whistle.
The second half saw Wayfarers set up with a strong defence that was proving hard to break down, but doing little in attack. However, with just over 10 minutes remaining, Wayfarers took advantage of an MK yellow card to score a breakaway goal, with Darran Smith diving full length to deflect the ball past Morgan Taff. Ali McColl scored a late consolation for MK with a reverse stick shot through a crowd of players, but Wayfarers held on to book a place in the final.