FA Cup Sunday Semi-Final
Sunday 15 March
OJM FC 4-2 New Salamis FC (AET)
2-2 at the end of normal time
OJM FC are through to The FA Sunday Cup Final after battling to overcome New Salamis FC at Keys Park in Hednesford in the Midlands..
The Warley and District Sunday League side had to withstand a Salamis fightback after having a two-goal lead pegged back.
What a block buster of a game, it was great football all round and a massive crowd to see it.
You could sense that both teams were nervous when they came out and but I expect it was expected but soon once the action had started that went.
Salamis had the better of a goalless first half and were almost ahead in the fifth minute.
A powerful run and cross by Mehmet was inches away from being converted by Leon Fisher.
Then Richard Georgiou flashed a header towards goal that Fisher chased down at the back post but his drilled shot across goal went inches wide.
And Fisher again went close when he took advantage of a poor pass to drill in a shot from just inside the box that was straight at goalkeeper Danny Roberts.
But it was OJM who took the lead 10 minutes into the second half, Williams’ 25-yard free kick took a wicked deflection off the wall and looped into the corner of the net with goalkeeper Darren Behcet stranded.
Then Rico Taylor Nelson scored when he came in on the right side of the box and from a tight angle he shot past the oncoming New Salamis keeper
Goals from Salamis’ Murat Karagul and Deniz Mehmet cancelled out Sean Williams and Rico Taylor Nelson’s earlier efforts to force extra time. A low corner from the right found left back Murat who had time to pivot and strike left footed into the top corner and Deniz Mehmet blasted the equaliser from inside the box.
However the win was sealed by Williams and substitute Masimba Matapo who scored with his first touch after coming on.
OJM retook the lead three minutes into extra time. Substitute Luke Benbow’s shot was well saved but the ball fell kindly to Williams who smashed home his second of the game.
The tie was finally made safe six minutes into the second period of extra time.
Darius Darkin burst down the left and squared for substitute Matapo to slot home.
OJM FC (4-2-3-1): Danny Roberts; Michael Nottingham, Kristain Ramsey Dixon, Sean Turner, Stephen Jones; Elikem Amenku, David Meese; Sean Williams, Darius Darkin, Rico Taylor Nelson; Reece Lynch (c).
Substitutes: Luke Benbow for Amenku 70; Masimba Matapo for Lynch 109; Manraj Singh for Williams 116
Subs not used: Sean Ashe, Dominic Hill
New Salamis FC (4-4-2): Darren Behcet; James Crysanthou, Chris Xouri (c), Lee White, Murat Karagul; Richard Georgiou, Leon Lalite, Steve Velandia, Kiri Portou; Leon Fisher, Deniz Mehmet.
Substitutes: Charlie Georgiou for Fisher 59; Dean Fenton for Georgiou 60; Mario Georgiou for Chrysanthou 109.
Subs not used: Nick Kitipos, Dougie Morton,
Well done to New Salamis
Referee: Daniel Meeson
In the other semi final Campfield FC moved into the FA Sunday Cup Final for the first time as they beat Chapeltown Fforde Green 2-1 in an entertaining game at Marine FC’s Arriva Stadium.