Middlesex 1-4 Cambridgeshire
The FA County Youth Cup
Semi-Final
Saturday 23 February 2008
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Middlesex's 36-year wait to lift The FA County Youth Cup again is set to continue after Alan Elbrow's impressive Cambridgeshire team beat them in Saturday's Semi-Final at The Warren.

Cambridgeshire, the 1997 winners, had to recover from a whirlwind start by the home side on a grey afternoon. Middlesex surged forward in numbers in the opening minutes and won a penalty when Jake Lovell was clearly tripped in full flight. But Luke Marshall's spot-kick was a little too central, allowing  'keeper Sam Beagle to push the ball away.

On eight minutes Marshall made amends to give Middlesex the lead, showing great determination to chase the ball as it passed across the face of the goal and slide it into the net as several defenders closed in.

Richmond Aygeman failed narrowly with a flick from close in that was palmed behind for a corner before the tide turned in the visitors' favour.

Craig Bussens was lively down the right flank for Cambridgeshire and one of his low crosses into the box was turned into his own net by a Middlesex defender on 18 minutes.

With Middlesex very much on the back foot now, they conceded another goal seven minutes later. A fierce volley through a crowded box was well saved by the 'keeper, diving to his right, but centre-half Lewis Carr followed up to poke the ball home for 2-1.

A brilliant run in from the left by Marshall, taking him past three defenders, looked likely to bring a Middlesex equaliser early in the second period. His pass into the goalmouth beat the 'keeper but two players lunging in at the far post couldn't quite make contact.

Cambridgeshire showed themselves to be the stronger side in the closing stages and two similar goals clinched the win.

Piers Wixon, a constant menace as he bravely ran with the ball at every opportunity, slipped the ball across from the right on 74 minutes and midfielder Rory McCauley thumped it in.

Then, seven minutes from time, Bussens was the supplier and it was substitute Sam Parkinson who did the honours in front of goal. Middlesex certainly kept fighting throughout, but Cambridgeshire were worthy winners and now face Suffolk or West Riding in the Final.

Attendance: 110