Mundford 3, Scole United 1 (AET)

Scole were dumped out of the Cyril Ballyn League Cup at the semi-final stage by Mundford on Saturday.

In truth it was a poor performance from Scole, a level or two below how they have played recently.

That said, it was Scole who could and should have scored first when James Edwards set Shaun Flint free on a one-on-one, but the normally lethal striker screwed his shot wide.

After this point, the first half belonged to Mundford. Time and time again they got the ball past the Scole back four, but they found Jack Buckmaster at his very best and time and time again the young Scole keeper saved brilliantly.

One save after 30 minutes was breathtaking, but unfortunately Scole conceded from the resulting corner. Twice they cleared the ball off the line from the corner, but the referee correctly ruled the second effort had gone over the line. It should have been 2-0 soon after when Scole conceded a penalty, but Buckmaster turned the penalty wide superbly.

Scole performed better in the second half and didn't take long to equalise. Flint lofted in a free-kick and Ben Cussons powered a header into the bottom corner. Scole then thought they had taken the lead when Tom Bell drilled past the Mundford keeper, but the referee awarded a free-kick to Scole just before the ball went in, much to the despair of the Scole players.

Mundford were still dangerous themselves, but Scole were looking safer now and Buckmaster didn't drop a cross all day. Another Scole free-kick went into the Mundford box, but Adam Solley's header hit the bar and went over.

The game went into extra-time, but by then both teams were tiring and it looked like penalties were going to be only outcome.

However, early in the second half of extra-time a Mundford cross hit Darren Philpot on the arm from short range and the referee harshly decided it was intentional and awarded Mundford the penalty which was converted.

Scole had no option but to really go for it and they let in a third when a far post cross was tucked in.

So Scole lose two semi-finals this season – although the consolation is they are the first semi finals the first team have reached for over a decade.

Scole man of the match was between two players. Ben Cussons was outstanding for the third week running but was ousted this week by Jack Buckmaster.