BROMSGROVE Sporting secured their place in the Junior Premier League National Cup final with a thrilling 5-3 win against holders UFCA.
Sporting’s under-13’s beat current JPL Cup holders UFCA as Miki Sikora and Max Halford both netted a brace while Dawson Stephenson also found the net to seal an impressive win.
Bromsgrove will play Dartford (Essex) in the National Cup final at Doncaster Rovers’ 15,000-seater Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday, May 11.
The Colts were up at 6am with kick-off in Leeds at 11.15am but the early start did little to deter Sporting as Sikora curled home a stunning free-kick from 25-yards out to put Bromsgrove ahead.
Sporting withstood heavy pressure before doubling their lead when Halford delicately lifted the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper.
And Bromsgrove kept the Yorkshire team at bay for the remainder of the half to head into the break with a two-goal lead.
UFCA pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half before a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area completed the comeback soon after.
However, Sikora stunned the hosts with another sublime free-kick to restore Sporting’s lead before Stephenson extended Bromsgrove’s lead when he finished from six-yards out.
UFCA hit the post and crossbar in response only for Sporting to seal their place in the final with their fifth goal with five minutes left to play as Halford emphatically rifled the ball into the back of the net following a swift counter attack.
The home side scored a consolation goal in injury time but it proved too little too late as Sporting became the first team to beat UFCA at their home ground in over a year.
