Reserves through to semi-finals after extra time and penalties

Facing unbeaten Scarning in the cup qtr finals was always going to be a tough game, but the Reserves were confident they could progress in the cup.
Mulbarton started the brigher and dominated possesion with a couple of early chances to take the lead. But for some missed chances a good goalkeeping the scores remained level.
Scarning were trying to catch Mulbarton on the break but a resolute defence kept the Scarning attackers at bay.
However, Scarning took the lead against the run of play via a header from a corner kick.
This spurred the Reserves on and we were soon level after a smart finish by top scorer Tom Brown.
Chances for the Reserves came and went and there was a real possibility we would rue these missed chances later.
However after a Scarning defender failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Jonny Bailey inside the 18 yard box and the diminuative striker made no mistake and finished with style.
Mulbarton seemed to have the game wrapped up and only found Scarning caused them any problems from set pieces or crosses.
With 5 minutes of ther game remaining, Scarning equalised once again from a cross into the box. And sent the game into extra time.

For the first time in the game Scarning took the lead once again from a corner kick after Mulbarton failed to clear the ball.
With minutes ticking by, there was a real possibility of those earlier missed chances prving very costly, until a Scarning defender handled in the box.
With 5 minutes remaining and a goal behind, we needed a hero to take responsibilty, and the hero of the day was James Balicki who confidently smashed the ball into the top right corner.
The game was fairly open for last few minutes with both sides looking for the winner and both sides losing a little shape.
But a last minutes winner for either side was not to be and the tie would be decided by penalties.
Scarning scored their first penalty and Henry Dyson sent the keeper the wrong way. Mick Churchill did superbly to save Scarnings second spot kick and James Balicki scored again from the spot with an equally emphatic finish. Scarning scored again, and Jim Dyson stepped up and placed his spot kick into bottom left corner, deciding on accuracy over power. Mick Churchill then pulled off another great save. Leaving Mulbarton needing to convert one of their two remaining spot kicks. Darren Carter hit the ball low and into the right hand corner of the goal, but the keeper went the right was and just got his fingers to the ball keeping it out. Scarning then made it a nailbiting finish when they converted their final penalty, heaping the pressure on captain Ben Wilford. But Ben made no mistake from the spot and gave the keeper no chance.. sealing a 4-3 on penalties.

A superb performance from all of the lads and thoroughly deserved to progress into the semi-finals. Every player to a man was superb. And a mention to the subs whose attitude was spot on, with all three being unlucky to be on the bench, and all played their part in the victory.

MOTM for the second week running goes to James Balicki who put in a faultless performance and topped it off with two assurred penalties.