Hillier Senior Cup Semi-Final Draws Announced
The semi-finals of the Hillier Senior Cup have been announced with a potential replay of the 2015-16 final on the cards if Kettering Town manage to beat Daventry Town in their quarter-final match.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds will face either Daventry Town or Kettering Town in the semi-finals after they easily defeated UCL Premiership side Wellingborough Town on a wet Tuesday night at Hayden Road.
Goals from Darryl Smith and Ryan Robbins gave the Diamonds a two goal lead after just 15 minutes as they ran riot against the Wellingborough defence. After a short delay due to a floodlight failure, Darryl Smith netted a third goal for the Diamonds after some good work down the right wing.
Further goals from Ryan Robbins, Fernando Bell-Toxtle and Chief Boateng ensured that a late goal from Wellingborough was nothing more than a consolation as the game finished 6-1 with Diamonds through to the semi-finals.
In the other draw, Peterborough Sports, who have reached the semi-final of the competition for the first time, will host Brackley Town after both sides defeated lower-ranked opposition.
Peterborough Sports booked their place in the semi-final in style as they knocked seven goals past Cogenhoe United. Two goals in three minutes from Viera and Jones gave Peterborough Sports a 2-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
Jones scored a further two goals to give himself a first half hat-trick and Sports a 4-0 lead at Half Time.
Peterborough’s dominance continued in the second half and Jones continued to impress after scoring his fourth goal of the night on the 58th minute. Lewis Hilliard and Viera both added to Sports goal tally giving the side a 7-0 win and good confidence going into the Semi-Final.
However, Brackley Town’s progress into the semi-final was not as easy as they faced resilient opposition in Peterborough Northern Star.
It took the National League North side 70 minutes to break the deadlock after a strong volley was deflected into the path of Diggin who scored from close range.
Brackley scored again in the 75th minute but were however pegged back to 2-1 in the 77th after a PNS goal scored by Matthew Cox.
A penalty which was converted by Armson sealed the win and the place in the next round for Brackley Town.
Daventry Town’s match with Kettering Town is the only fixture outstanding from the quarter-finals which was postponed due to wet-weather.
The semi-finals are due to be played W/C 5th February 2018.