Burridge 2 Braishfield 2 (aet - Braishfield won 8-7 on penalties)

It was a very happy Valentines Day for underdogs Braishfield as they came from behind to secure their cup final place at the expense of Premier Division high-flyers Burridge.

Playing at the neutral venue of Wide Lane, Braishfield started the in their usual positive manner, trying to press themselves onto their higher league opposition. The weather had been awful in the lead up to the game and the pitch was no more than a bog with nobody present happy with it's condition.

As the first half progressed, it was Burridge who took the lead. A decent piece of play from the Premier league side caused problems for Braishfield, and when the ball rebounded back to their forward, he calmly half volleyed back past the stranded Andy Morey. With a place in the final at stake, Braishfield looked increasingly nervous and failed to turn early pressure into any sort of threat. Burridge continued to threaten with good play down the left side causing all sorts of problems for Braish. A free kick 20 yards from goal on the 30 minute mark gave Burridge an opportunity to extend their lead. The strike took a huge deflection and looped over the top of Andy Morey who could only watch the ball nestle into the net. 2-0.

Braishfield could have easily let their heads drop, but found the inner strength to mount a fight back. God play down both flanks from Nas Brora and Dan Collins helped apply the pressure with once again excellent forward play from the lively duo of Max Beebe and Luke Shergold causing problem. Braishfield continued to press and were camped in the opposition half for the rest of the first half, going close with chances for Beebe and Luke Shergold.

The second half started the same as the first finished, with Braishfield in total control. Excellent midfield work from tireless man of the match Scott Shepherd and combative captain Ben Craggs helped Braishfield win the midfield battle. With Ash Shergold once again pulling the strings, it was Braishfield's turn to find the back of the net. With manager Matt Payne about to make a double substitution and change the formation, excellent play from Luke Shergold found Max Beebe in the box and he calmly slotted home on 60mins. Braishfield continued to press with a new found energy and it wasn't long before the scores were even.

Once again, great play from the lively Luke Shergold, dancing around defenders for fun, slotted through to Beebe. In what first looked to be an offside position, he calmly controlled and again slotted past the keeper from 6 yards. 2-2. As the Burridge heads dropped there looked like there would only be one team going to win the game but as hard as Braishfield tried they could not find a way to get the winner.

The game went into extra time and the first half continued with Braishfield in the ascendancy. However hard they tried the game remained at deadlock.

The second half of extra time brought about a change in fortunes as Burridge now became the team more likely to win the game.

A couple of good chances for Burridge brought a good save from keeper Andy Morey and saw a chance flash just wide of the post. Braishfield were beginning to ride their luck with tired legs setting in. They fought hard to keep Burridge out and were relieved to hear the full time whistle blow.

With penalties now the only way to settle the result, Braishfield put together their list. With Burridge taking the first pen and scoring, it was down to local lad Ben Musselwhite to even the score.

The teams continued to score with every kick with Craig Fielding, Max Beebe, Paul Tanner, Pat Coughlin, Olly Durman and Ben Craggs.

With Burridge missing their eighth penalty it was down to local boy and club stalwart Scott Shepherd to cooly slot the final and winning penalty home.

Mass celebration erupted and Braishfield continue an amazing cup run with a place in the Southampton Senior League Cup Final. This will be midweek against BTC Southampton at Eastleigh FC sometime in April depending on the availability of the stadium.