Hunter on target for Tavern

Birstall Stamford 1-2 Magnet Tavern
The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 21 March 2010
The Greene King Stadium, Hinckley United FC
Winning clubs receive £1000, losers receive £300

Magnet Tavern overcame the might of Birstall Stamford and a large local support to clinch a place in this year’s Sunday Cup Final at Anfield. 

Birstall only had to travel a few miles across Leicester for this Semi-Final on neutral ground at Hinckley but got no advantage as underdogs Tavern, from Boston, won the game with two quick goals from Miles Hunter early in the second half. 

But it had started so well for Birstall when Lewis Dodd put them ahead with an exquisite opener. His team-mates moved the ball from left to right with fluid pace and after Dodd made space for himself, he managed to chip the keeper from 20 yards out. 

Birstall continued to dominate the first-half and could have been two or three-nil up at half-time, hitting the woodwork on several occasions and squandering one-on-one chances. 

But for the third time in five years, Birstall threw it away to concede defeat at the final hurdle. 

Tavern scored twice in quick succession shortly after half-time to put Birstall to bed. The first was the result of poor concentration as several Birstall defenders missed headers to clear the danger and watched Miles Hunter smack the ball into the net for an equaliser on 50 minutes.

Just five minutes later Hunter turned his marker and steered the ball home at the near post to win the game. 

Magnet Tavern meet Hetton Lyons and will need the same never-say-die attitude to stop them winning the Sunday Cup a record-breaking three times in five years.