17/18 May 2008 @ Haslemere HC
| Sat 17 May - PB 15:00 - Semi-Final 2 | ||||
| Trojans Nathan Honeycombe 51m fg, Colin French 52m fg | 2 - 3 (2 - 2) (0 - 0) | Worthing Ramiz Inga 48m pc, Alex Warner 65m pf, Mark Duncan 74m fg | ||
Report by Gareth Evans, Tournament Director
After a very poor quality first half with both teams having just one goal scoring chance each, a change in the weather at half time for the worse seemed to enliven the game. Worthing took the lead after 48 minutes when Ramiz Inga was the first to react at a penalty corner after the ball rebounded off Steve Cole’s pads.
Trojans seemed to take control of the game as they scored two quick goals. Firstly Nathan Honeycombe was on hand to put the ball into an empty net after the ball was dribbled into the circle and slipped past the keeper to put Trojans level at 51 minutes. Barely a minute later Colin French produce a fantastic shot from the edge of the circle that gave Chris Binns in the Worthing goal no chance.
The match seemed to be ebbing away from Worthing when Andy Williams was shown a yellow card for a reckless tackle, but being down to ten acted as an inspiration to them and with 5 minutes left a goalmouth melee resulted in the award of a penalty stroke. Alex Warner was coolness personified as he converted to bring Worthing level. With extra time looming, Worthing were reduced to nine players with another yellow card, but they held out and were back to ten to start the additional 15 minutes (there is no golden goal in this tournament).
The momentum that had swung towards Worthing at the end of normal time continued into extra time and after 4 minutes Mark Duncan picked the ball up just outside the circle and ran at the Trojans defence beating three defenders and the keeper before slotting the ball home from the acutest of angles to send the supporters from Sussex into raptures. As extra time continued Trojans got more into the game, but a Worthing team restored to a full compliment of players held out to ensure it will be them who face Wayfarers in the final.