Shootout drama!

We expected that our Pitching In Isthmian Premier Play Off Semi-Finals would be tight matches, but perhaps not that both ties would go to one hundred and twenty minutes and a penalty shootout. That's what happened last night, as Hornchurch and Aveley marched on to Monday's Final with pride- and tired legs!

The Urchins had defeated their opponents, Cray Wanderers, twice during the regular season- and after forty nine minutes last night it looked as if they'd done it again, a thirty fourth goal of the season from Sam Higgins and a twenty seventh from Liam Nash giving them a two-nil lead. At this point, however, Wands- who were on a nine match unbeaten run and not used to this sort of treatment- decided they weren't going to put up with it any longer. Just before the hour mark David Ijaha pulled a goal back, and with only one minute left Nyren Clunis took us to extra time.

Three minutes into the first period of extra time, Higgins struck again, taking his season tally to thirty five, but again the visitors roared back and Sam Wood levelled on one hundred and eight minutes. So off we went to a shootout, and finally the Urchins got the better of their visitors, triumphing four-two.

It's worth, at this point, paying tribute to Cray Wanderers. This time last season they had survived as a Pitching In Isthmian Premier club by the skin of their teeth. What they have gone on to achieve since is rather incredible, and we suspect they will be hoping to do even better next year- and, perhaps, to have the building of their new ground at Flamingo Park well underway.

Next we headed off to a rather cold Canvey Island (it must get warm there sometimes, but we've yet to experience it) where the Gulls were taking on Aveley, our two promoted North Division sides from last season.

Both sides had delivered magnificent campaigns; the Gulls lost for the first time in in two months as they fell to defeat against Lewes on Saturday, whilst the Millers already had one prize, the Velocity Cup, in their trophy cabinet and will have been confident of taking a step towards an even bigger goal.

The last time that Aveley had beaten the Gulls was during the 2018-19 season, but they finally managed to repeat that feat last night- but only after one hundred and twenty minutes had ended goalless. The spot kicks went the way of the Millers perhaps mainly due to the form of their keeper, Jonathan North, who saved two of them as his side won four-two.

Congratulations to Aveley, and commiserations to Canvey, who have had a wonderful season. To win promotion and then end the last week of the following season knowing that you could still win the title is extraordinary, and we're sure they will be back next season to try again.

The Final, which will kick off at 3PM on Monday, will be all-ticket. Hornchurch will be announcing details today.

Image courtesy of Stadium Photography.

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