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25 February 2008 |
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| VIDEO: St Andrews 0-4 Hetton Lyons |
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Hetton Lyons went a step closer to reaching Anfield after thumping St Andrews - watch the highlights. |
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The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 16 March 2008
Arriva Stadium, Marine FC
Click here for the fixture details
Winning club receives £1,000
Former champions Hetton Lyons travelled down from the north-east to Liverpool to defeat ten men Paddock FC by 2-0 in the Semi-Final of The FA Sunday Cup.
Adam Johnston was the hero of the tie, as his brace before half-time put the game beyond the hosts in a tempestuous affair that saw a Paddock man ejected after the interval for two bookable offences.
Current north-east champions Hetton, who won The FA Sunday Cup in 2006, were defeated on penalties in the Second Round last year to eventual winners Coundon Conservative and with Coundon defeating Brantham Athletic in the other Semi-Final, they will have the chance to gain revenge in an all north-east affair in the Final at Anfield.
A delighted Hetton manager, Bradley Groves, said: "It was scrappy game. We didn't play particularly well, but we were very worthy winners. Our goalkeeper only had one save to make - and that was in the 75th minute. They had a lot of possession without ever really threatening."
Johnston's first goal came about after 10 minutes, from a 20 yard shot that whistled its way into the Paddock net. The striker then stuck again just before the break, giving the visitors a psychological edge over their opponents.
"We had a really good move for the second goal," continued Groves.
"Gavin Cogdon beat his man, and went on a run, beating a couple of people. He then found our left-winger Stephen Capper with a really good ball. He got to the by-line, pulled it back and Johnston scored his second.
"We have a very experienced squad and we dealt with their intimidation tactics. Now we are playing Coundon (left) in the Final.
"We respect and rate them as a side, but when they beat us in the Second Round last year we had an under-strength side. What better place to get our revenge than Anfield?"
Meanwhile Paddock FC manager, Billy Owens, insisted his team would return next year.
"They scored a soft goal after only five minutes and then got the killer goal just before half time," he said.
"We were struggling to get back into the game after that. They held out strong but we will be back.
"This is the second time we have entered the tournament. We got to the last 16 last season and to the Semi-Final this year. So really next year will be our year - we will be back to win it!"