Hakin United 4 – Pennar Robins 1

 
Hotly fancied Hakin United grabbed three second half goals without reply to comfortably overcome Pennar Robins to progress to the final at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium in front of a good crowd under lights.
 
Shane Walsh opened the scoring for the Vikings with a brilliant edge of the box drive, but the Robins levelled matters as Ben Adams pounced. Shortly after the break the luckless Sam Southcott scored an own goal which gave the Vikings a slender 2-1 lead, late in the game Ben Aldred struck a scorching free kick to for the third, then in added time Walsh grabbed his second of the game for his side's fourth to put the result beyond doubt, also on the stroke of full time Pennar's Luke Phillips received a straight red card from referee Neill Crawford.
 
Hakin United have won the Senior Cup the most on twelve occasions whilst Pennar Robins have won it twice, the last time back in 2008 when they beat derby rivals Monkton Swifts.
 
Early in the game Hakin threatened as Ben Aldred saw his curling direct free kick tipped onto the crossbar by Robins’ goalkeeper Rory Williams. Minutes later Ryan Wilson dispossessed Connor Roberts and continued as he struck a stinging shot straight to Williams.
 
The Robins’ first sight at goal saw Luke Phillips fire high and wife from the left side which didn’t trouble Vikings’ goalkeeper Gareth Fawcett.
 
The Vikings deservedly broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute as Shane Walsh struck a low 18 yard right footed shot in the far corner.
 
Four minutes before the interval the Robins got back on level terms, Luke Phillips’  low cross from the left was met by striker Ben Adams who didn’t break his stride as struck with a first time finish past the advancing Fawcett.
 
Shortly after the break the Vikings began to apply pressure and they were rewarded in the 49^th minute as they regained the lead following a teasing low cross by Kieran King which saw defender Sam Southcott apply the finishing touch into his own goal.
 
Three minutes from full time the Vikings added a superb third as midfielder Aldred struck a wicked edge of the area free kick which keeper Williams didn’t stand a chance of stopping as it crashed into the back of the net.

In added time substitute Mason Dalling cleverly cut back for Walsh to strike the fourth from close range to complete the scoring.
 
Hakin United will now meet the winners of next week’s semi-final between Charleston current holders Road v Milford United and the final will take place on Saturday, 12^th April at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, kick off 2.30pm.

Hakin United: Gareth Fawcett, Henry Mayhew, Kieran King, Ben Aldred, Jay Power, Jack Britton, Leon Luby, Jay Kilby, Liam Parks (76’ Jack Griffiths), Ryan Wilson (Captain), Shane Walsh.
Unused substitutes: Alfie Stotter, Adrian Devonald, Mark Jones.
 
Pennar Robins: Rory Williams, Nick Willis (90' Liam Williams), Luke Phillips, Sam Southcott (65’ Sean Edmundson), Ross Jones, Connor Roberts (Captain), Daniel James (83’ Jack Jones), Kieran Smith (83’ Conner Willis), Ben Adams, Tom Grimwood (90’ Noah Davison), Cameron Brunton.

 

Referee: Neill Crawshaw.
 
Assistants: Barry Evans & Ioan Nevatte.
 
Fourth Official: Richard Gwyther.