It's been a tough week having fielded 10 men in last weekend's 1/2 final loss before having a mare in our midweek game at Guildford Albion, but this morning we secured a cup final for the first time since the 11/12 season.

Let's be honest this was never going to come easily for us. 7 consecutive 1/2 final losses and our recent injury issues meant this was always going to be a very difficult tie against a fired up Woodham team. It was a daft game of football, but in the end we came out on top so who cares how we did it.

The finer details of the game are somewhat of a blur, but Woodham started well and forced an early chance and just as we were coming into the game we got caught out by a counter attack and their striker ran through to finish well.

Grouty hit the post from a set piece and on 25 Woodham went 2-0 up from range.

At this point we could have let our heads drop, but we instead showed character and got one back quickly with a great goal. Ell played a superb crossfield ball to Ads who volleyed a class cross in that John controlled, beat his man and dispatched past the keeper 6 yards out.

Their keeper made a couple of good saves as we began to take control and eventually we were level. Grouty got to the byline on the left and side and crossed to the back post where Frosty smashed home to celebrate his 50th appearances with a goal.

On 43 we deservedly took the lead as John feasted on a poor pass by their keeper, and was brought down for our first penalty of the season. John stepped up and confidently gave us the lead at the interval.

3 minutes into the second half Woodham countered from our corner and worked it well to equalise.

A minute later Ell played another excellent ball over the top for John who delightfully clipped over the keeper to complete his hat-trick.

When Joey's composed finish gave us breathing space it looked like we would go on to add to our lead, but Woodham simply weren't having it and pegged us back again to 4-5.

With just over 10 minutes remaining Ell, again, played an accurate long ball and Grouty beat the keeper to it, heading into an empty net. Surely now it was over?

No. Woodham scored again with the softest goal of the morning as a cross from the edge of the box evaded everyone and went into the corner almost in slow motion.

Thankfully we saw the game out to reach the final. On the balance of play and chances we did deserve to come out on top, but the narrow winning margin was a fair reflection of how the game went. Woodham would not give in and contributed fully to what was a mad game of football. We haven't played in many more action packed encounters than this.

Bring on the final.

MoM: John - top quality performance and well taken hat-trick. Mention for Ell for his two assists from the back.

Thanks to Ry and Harwood for coming to support.