This was a very enjoyable match to watch from the first kick to the final whistle after extra time. Hadcroft got off to a good positive start and the energetic Julian Probyn never gave up the chase and was un ended in the box after 7 minutes step up Chris Smith to convert the spot kick 0 – 1. Halesowen kept the tempo of the game up and equalised on 17 minutes from a corner when the ball was deflected into the net from the front post 1 - 1. The game was still going at full pace from end to end and when Chris Smith refused to stop running and on 40 minutes put the pressure on Halesowens keeper from a back pass stealing the ball going round the keeper and putting the ball into the net 1 - 2. Chris Smith should have had his hat trick in the first half when he out paced the Halesowen defender and placed a great shot into the net however the Halesowen defender tripped as Chris Smith passed him and the Referee awarded a free kick to Halesowen that was a wrong decision.
HALF TIME 2 – 1
Julian Probyn was replaced by Sean Gray at half time after his several talking’s to during the first half from the referee as a precaution. The second half started with both teams attacking but the star moment of the entire match came on 48 minutes when Halesowen’s keeper cleared the ball from a back pass to the feet of David Smith just inside the Halesowen Half without thinking about it and a clear pitch in front of him everyone was expecting DJ to collect the ball and run at goal no one control touch and the a full blooded half volley saw the ball fly into the net 1 – 3. Halesowen came back into the game when 2 defensive errors from corner on 54 and 57 minutes bought the scores level 3 – 3. Ian Whittaker replaced Tom Godber on 62 minutes, despite several chances to both teams and a brilliant save from Halesowen’s keeper the 90minutes ended level.
FULL TIME 3 – 3
Into extra time and what a start from Hadcroft a minutes into the first period of extra time David Chambers got onto the end of a Damon Lewis pass 4 – 3. Luke Smith replaced Damon Lewis who had run himself into the ground on 102 minutes.
HALF TIME EXTRA TIME 3 - 4
With both teams starting to run out of steam the football went into a slower speed Haleswoen bought the scores level again on 113 minutes 4 – 4.
FULL TIME EXTRA TIME 4 – 4
Replay date to be confirmed.
