*** Spartan South Midlands League have now been removed from the competition following an appeal from the West Yorkshire League over their fielding of an ineligible player. As a result, the West Yorkshire League are re-instated for The Final ***
The Spartan South Midlands League reached The FA Inter League Cup Final for the first time in their history following a hard fought 3-2 victory over the West Yorkshire League at Hertford Town FC on Saturday.
The home side, represented by their Step 7, second division, took the lead after eight minutes when the impressive Daniel Parsons collected a pass on the edge of the penalty area, swivelled and fired home.
Spartan South Midland League 3-2 West Yorkshire League
The FA Inter League Cup
Semi-Final
Saturday 27 February 2016
Hertford Town FC
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Parsons almost increased the lead three minutes later only to have his shot cleared off the line but after 20 minutes it was all square when Danny Cunningham used his pace to break clear and latch onto a through ball before cleverly lifting the ball over the advancing keeper and into an empty net.
The second half was a closer affair with the visitors twice going close with efforts from Darryl Letton and Cuningham, but it was the home side that struck twice in five minutes mid-way through the half with goals from Niall Williams, who converted from a corner, and then Thomas Cooke who fired in from the edge of the box.
But the Yorkshire side refused to give in and Scott Hargreaves pulled a goal back from close range in the 77th minute.
The visitors piled on the pressure as they looked for an equaliser and twice went agonisingly close in stoppage time, but it was not to be and the home side progressed to The Final.
They will face the winners of the second semi-final between previous winners from the Southern Amateur League and the Teesside League, who meet at 2pm on Saturday at Uxbridge FC.
