Report

A cup semi-final is always going to produce a close game, but with two teams that are battling for top spot in the league, the game was all set up for a real close encounter.

Chances came few and far between in the first half with both teams matching each other all over the park.

Both goalkeepers were however called into action but each of them produced superb saves to keep their sides in the tie.

The first was made by Simon Bailey in the Saints goal as the Valiant striker found himself completely unmarked in the 18 yard box, he fired a shot low and hard but Bailey was equal to it as he dived to his right to get a strong hand to the ball to push it wide of the goal.

Then, the Valiant keeper produced a good stop after Chris Heron fired a venomous strike from around the penalty spot through a crowd of players that stung the keeper’s hands before the defence eventually cleared.

The sides went in level at half time with everything to play for in the second half.

After the break it wasn't long until the deadlock was broken and Valiant were the side to strike first.

After the visitors had failed to clear a corner, the Valiant player picked the ball up at the far post before firing the ball towards goal which was then turned in from close range by an unmarked valiant striker.

The Saints however immediately responded to get themselves back on level terms.

The visitors broke from a Valiant corner; Bailey cleared the ball up field where John Sullivan climbed highest on the halfway point to head the ball towards Tommy Neil who flicked it over the last defender to set himself on goal and one on one with the keeper before steering his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

However, it wasn't long before the home side got their noses in front for the second time after the ball was poked in from close range again by a Valiant striker after the Saints failed to clear.

Valiant then made the score 3-1 as their striker was left unmarked inside the six yard box. He hit a shot which Bailey was unable to keep out even after getting a hand to the ball.

The Saints did not give up as they tried to claw a way back into the game but all their hard work was undone as the home side put the game out of sight.

The Valiant striker gained possession on the edge of the penalty area after the Saints failed to deal with the original corner, he hit a shot which took a wicked deflection and looped over Bailey and into the net.

The Saints still continued their search for another goal as the scoreline flattered the home side in this semi-final. But they were again undone by another by Valiant to make the score 5-1 and send the home side through to the final.

On paper it looked a comfortable victory for Valiant, but the game told a different story. The Saints now look to progress in the league to push for promotion.