THE FA SUNDAY CUP
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2003

Neither side have ever reached the final of the country's top Sunday league football competition, now in its 39th season.

The furthest Allerton had progressed in the competition until now was the semi-finals in 1994, whilst Duke of York's record had been reaching the Fifth Round last year.

Both sides are celebrating reaching the historic north versus south final to be played at Liverpool FC.

Allerton, of the Liverpool & District Sunday League, will be hoping to retain the prestigious cup for Liverpool in their home city after their league rivals Britannia FC won it last season.

They beat former winners Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter FC 3-1 in front of a crowd of just under 800 at Hartlepool United FC on Sunday to secure hopes of keeping the title on Merseyside.

Midfielder Tony McMullen opened the scoring with defender David McGee and midfielder Kevin Kirkpatrick netting the second and third.

Delighted manager Paul Cross said: 'I am over the moon.

'Right from kick-off, the lads were really up for it and didn't let Hartlepool settle. They got one goal back about five minutes from the end, but we never really let them get into the game and I felt we thoroughly deserved the victory.'

Duke of York, of the Northampton Sunday Alliance, were taken to the wire by Travellers FC after they pulled back a last-gasp equaliser in injury time.

The semi-final at Solihull Borough FC, watched by just under 350, went to extra time with Duke of York scoring twice to earn a 5-3 victory.

After going behind 2-0 with 15 minutes of normal time left, James Westley scored twice and Russell Dunkley got the third two minutes from time only for Travellers to equalise.

Dunkley scored again in extra time and Steve Jelley got the winner in the 114th minute.

Manager Neil Twelftree said: 'It was such a rollercoaster of emotions - we were down 2-0, then drew level and went ahead only for them to equalise in the last minute.

'I always felt we had a chance even when we were two goals behind. The players dug in and we got the result.

'It's a dream to be going to Anfield - we've just got to try and fulfil it now.' 

1

Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter

1-3

Allerton

 

at Hartlepool United FC

 

       

2

Travellers

3-5 aet

Duke Of York

 

at Solihull Borough FC