Premier Division semi-finals review

Hitchin, who finished fourth in the regular season, made the long journey to South Wales to take on a Merthyr Town outfit who ended up third, three points better off than the Canaries. In front of a crowd of over 1400, the Martyrs` season ended in heartbreak after a penalty shoot-out defeat.

The Martyrs, who were only re-formed in 2010, were looking to complete another remarkable climb to National League South level, and got the perfect start when Kayne McLaggon gave them an eighth minute lead.

He poked the ball home at the far post after a Scott Barrow throw had been flicked on by Ryan Prosser but the visitors equalised in the 20th minute when Robbie Burns squeezed the ball home following a rebound off a post.

The second half saw Merthry dominant but unable to find another goal, although Barrow almost won it in extra-time, but his free-kick smashed against the post. And then an amazing save from Hitchin `keeper Michael Johnson denied Ian Traylor from becoming the goalscoring hero.

But it was to spot-kicks, and Johnson proved to be the Canaries` man of the match by saving Keyon Reffell and Kyle Copp`s efforts, whilst Hitchin were perfect with their penalties to go through 4-1.

At the New Windmill Ground, Leamington, who finished runners-up to champions Chippenham Town, and fourth-placed finishers Slough Town, did battle for Bank Holiday Monday`s other final spot.

A crowd of 1,042 saw the Brakes have the lions` share of the game without being able to make their dominance tell with goals. They went very close to opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute when Stefan Moore hit the post, and then Callum Gittings hit the rebound wide of Shaun Rowley`s goal.

Half-time arrived with the hosts wondering how they weren`t ahead as they had hit post, had a goal disallowed for offside and had several efforts cleared off or near the line! However, they also lost the impressive Ahmed Obeng, who had to be stretchered-off after collision outside the box.

After a first half when nothing seemed to want to go in, it took only a few seconds into the second period for Leamington to break the deadlock – and in rather fortunate circumstances as a mishit cross from Jack Edwards found the top corner of the net!

Rowley came to Slough`s rescue again 15 minutes from time when he tipped Courtney Baker-Richardson`s header onto the bar! It remains 1-0. And then Slough almost earned extra-time in the fourth minute of stoppage time sub Josh Jackman saw Brakes` keeper Tony Breeden push his shot behind to deny the Rebels a late, late equaliser.

Image courtesy of Pitchero

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