A warm afternoon and a later KO awaited us at the Emerald Centre in the Semi Final which saw two sides who have played each other plenty of times. Real Stanton currently riding high in division 4 as Bosworth were currently riding high in division 6.

The lads arrived at a packed venue, a pitch which had seen more lines than a night club toilets as it offers both Gaelic and Professional Football or on this occasion very amateur football. As players arrived, we saw someone walking over with a floral shirt in hand, the lads scrambled for their autograph books as they could only assume it was Alfie Moon from Eastenders fame but it was JPS aka John Sammon, the Vets all time top goal scorer with 20 goals in 6 seasons.

After a light warm up Eddy got the lads back into the changing rooms to prepare them for the game. He gave a rousing speech, something Winston Churchill would have been proud to deliver as he told the lads to get out there and give it everything but he was left shaking his head like the Churchill Dog when Griff asked if he could tell us what the lineup was and the lads headed back to their seats in the changing room.

The game got underway and Bosworth started brightly but neither side really threatened the goal. Bosworth took the lead though when a looping cross from a set piece found Dicko at the far post and his header down was then finished by Stephens who made sure with a diving header from a yard out.

Shortly after taking the lead, Stephens burst through the defence and was cynically brought down on the edge of the box when through on goal, the midfielder for Real Stanton was sent off and the team in Pink had an uphill battle. Scotty took the resulting free kick and tested the keeper but the ball was cleared before Bosworth could get onto the rebound. Juggy was continuing making some good runs forward, he got into some good areas but the final ball to him was lacking.

Despite going down to ten men, Stanton were the most threatening in the final minutes of the half. A free kick given away in a dangerous area was slapped against the crossbar and then the bar was clipped with a shot just before the whistle sounded for half time as Bosworth were holding on.

Eddy calmed the lads down and we just needed to get back to Bozzy Ball. The midfield trio of Dicko, Scott and Chris found another gear as they started on the front foot and were creating chances. At the other end Jono and Canavan were so strong keeping the opposition at bay, complimented by the Fantom and little Carl who were facing some tricky wide players, Griff was welcoming of the break after giving way to Fantom at half time.

Bosworth had a few efforts on goal, Dicko could only tickle the ball so it was an easy one for the goalie and Chris lashed one just over the bar. Chances kept coming but we didn’t capitalise as Robinho found himself on the end of a cutback but his effort found the hands of the keeper. Stanton were starting to look tired but remained a threat from set pieces and they found an equaliser when Stephens gave a way a cheap free kick and a high cross to the far post was finished well with a header.

Stephens keen to make up for his error received the ball on the edge of the box and he turned inside and outside and his finish curled past the far post, it would have been a superb goal especially after some good build up play.

Neil who was ruled out with a foot ligament injury made a miraculous recovery as he entered the field like a new man, his impact was instant, some good play forward and he took the ball off Scott’s toe and ran through on goal with a calm side foot past their number 1!

A deserved lead but Stanton, credit to them did not give up and had the next best chance, a cross from the left side was met by their striker and Sid made an instinctive save as he threw out an arm, an excellent block and Fantom cleared. Another chance fell their way when a cross from the right was converted high over not only our goal but also the Gaelic goal.

A let off for Bosworth who controlled the remaining parts of the game and it was left to Super Sammon who had just returned to the field for Stu to put the game to bed as he hit a volley which was too hot to handle as the goalkeeper let the ball slip through his legs. Rumours are news of Sammon’s goal has already reached parts of the Southern Hemisphere which is surprising as he doesn’t like to mention it publicly.

The final whistle sounded and Bosworth Vets have made their first final and have a tough game against unbeaten division 4 tabletoppers JJFC on Saturday 18th May. The lads took a well deserved beer in the changing rooms after the game and the team anthem Cheri Cheri Lady sounded on the Boom Box!

Player of the Match was awarded to Carl, playing in multiple positions this season, another great job at full back today as he looked effective both in defence and when going forward.