Boro faced a tough task going into the game, with Southall having won each of their 8 league games, including a 4-0 win over Boro in mid December. As well as it being a quarter final, there was even more of a sense of occasion with the game being played at The Rogers Family Stadium.

In the opening stages, that league game may have been on the minds of Boro's players as Southall dominated, winning every 50/50 and creating a number of clear cut chances. Boro keeper Cian McGrath-Brown kept them at bay with the help of some wayward finishing. Southall eventually took the lead when Boro failed to clear their lines and a left footed shot beat McGrath-Brown low to his right.

This sparked Boro into life and suddenly they were quicker to loose balls, winning every 50/50 and attacking with pace. A deserved equaliser arrived when a cross from the left hand byline was only headed as far as Luke Finnegan. His touch found the unmarked Jamal Sharpe who finished from close range. Sharpe was a threat throughout with his pace, trickery and directness.

1-1 at half time was a fair reflection of a half of two halves.

Boro continued where they left off as the second half began and they took the lead through the impressive Nasir Sharifi. A short corner was worked to the right back who cut in from the left hand side and his precise shot found the far corner.

Boro continued to dominate and made it three when a free kick on the right hand side of the area was blocked. It fell to Rory Williams who took a touch before firing a superb swerving right footed shot from 30 yards past the Southall keeper.

Southall pulled one back when the ball was passed into the area from the left and side footed into the bottom left hand corner.

Ten minutes of added time was found from somewhere, and McGrath-Brown had to make a brave save at the feet of a Southall attacker, but Boro deservedly held on for their best win of the season. Both teams deserve a lot of credit for an excellent game, with the standard high throughout.

Our Under 18s now face a semi final against Cockfosters, who are top of the Nemean division with a perfect 10 wins. Tie to be played at 7.45pm on Monday 26th February at Haringey FC.