Local football: Kings Arms set for cup final

The two teams contesting this semi-final at Haxey Playing Field could hardly have been in more contrasting form.

Walkeringham, winless in four games since thrashing Barnby Moor 8-0 five weeks ago, faced a confident Kings team seeking a ninth consecutive win in all competitions, but as the league fixtures between the clubs resulted in a home win each near the start of the season, a close game was all that could be predicted.

An explosive start to the game saw Walkeringham take the lead on five minutes when Kings’ goalkeeper Sean Byrne saved a shot from just inside the penalty area. Unfortunately for Byrne, the ball fell to the alert Kednga Mungaro who forced it into the net.

The home team wasn’t behind for long though, within four minutes Tom Andrew leveled the scores – only he knows whether he meant to cross or shoot but the ball arced over Walkeringham’s keeper to cancel out the opener.

For the rest of the half the defences held firm, as a shot blasted over the bar by Kings’ Lee Sutterby was as close as either side came to gaining an advantage before the break.

The second half began, and continued, in much the same way as the first, but on 75 minutes Kings’ Neil Jones was almost celebrating as his shot went past the right hand of Walkeringham’s keeper only to see the ball strike the post. His effort wasn’t wasted however as Nathan Young was first to the rebound and duly prodded it into the net.

Walkeringham pushed forward with increased vigour but apart from a corner or two found their way blocked by a resolute defence.

Sutterby came closest to another goal when he struck the bar with a late lob but for all his tireless running he failed to put his name on the scoresheet.

That proved to be the last of the action of the game as Kings celebrated reaching the final.

They return to league action next weekend where they are currently on a six game winning run in their attempts to achieve promotion to Division Two, where they face bottom of the league Barnby Moor.

They currently sit one point off the top in third, but have a game in hand on the top two due to their cup run.

Meanwhile, Kings Arms first team are facing a battle to avoid the drop in Division One, as they sit inside the bottom two.

They have two games in hand on the teams around them, as they look to find a way clear of the bottom teams to remain in the top tier.

Their next game is a testing one however, as they take on title-chasing Mattersey a week on Sunday.

In Division Two, Misterton United travel to Maltings Meercats this Sunday as they look to guarantee their safety from relegation.