Cardea FC (4-5-1): Gavin Sampson; Daryn Whiteman, Gav Earl, Michael Williams, Kynan Bereznyckyj; Alex Goymour, Aaron Yeoman, John Reddell, Aiden Stanford, Shane Cooke; Luke Penman. Subs: Rob Ames, Ryan Moore, Tom Staggs, Michael Creek, Dave Hardingham.

Being a cup semi final official linesmen are provided by the league but the day started badly for Michael Creek as he was tricked into thinking he would have to be a "shadow linesman" and headed to the centre circle to collect his flag before realising his mistake!!!

The game was a slow burner in the first half but burst into action midway through the half as Cardea opened the scoring. On the counter attack Yeoman sliced a long ball into the path of Cooke who took the ball on his chest and powered down the left wing before cutting inside and squaring to Penman who finished first time.

However the teams went in level at half time after the referee adjudged Whiteman had blocked a cross into the box with his arm and a penalty was awarded to BNE, which was converted.

After half time Bretton pushed forward more and the Cardea defence had to stand strong to prevent BNE taking the lead. Long throws into the area was the main Bretton weapon.

But it was Cardea who regained the lead thanks to a short throw to Penman who ran into the area and pulled back for Stanford to smash the ball past the keeper on the hour mark.

The lead lasted for 10 minutes before BNE grabbed another equaliser after a cross was headed back at the back post and nodded in from six yards.

Division 1 champions Bretton then took the lead two minutes later on the counter attack when the striker went through unchallenged and slotted past Sampson.

The tie looked to be over but Cardea found an equaliser as the game headed towards 90 minutes. A pin point ball from Williams was well controlled by Cooke, who had beaten the offside trap, and the Cardea number 9 struck the ball past the keeper and into the net.

The referee blew the whistle for the end of full time and the reserve team players who had come to watch enjoyed a quick game of foot-cricket before extra time started.

The chances in extra time fell mostly to Bretton with keeper Sampson pulling off two brilliant saves to keep the scores level and take the game to penalties.

Cardea went first and Stanford, Penman, Yeoman and Cooke all scored their penalties with BNE scoring their first three but Sampson saved their forth penalty.

Rob Ames found himself in the familiar situation of taking the winning penalty and the striker smashed his effort down the middle to win the shootout and send Cardea into the Hereward Cup final.

After the game manager Craig Robinson said: "Absolutely buzzing. To compete for 120 minutes against the team who have won the top league on Sunday's is an incredible achievement and to then score all 5 pens to win it.

Very proud of everyone today. We now have 2 finals to look forward to! Absolutely buzzing. I can't pick a MOTM today, everyone is a contender, especially Gav Earl who captained the side superbly today and led by example! John was limping around the all of extra time but soldiered through it. Shane did what Shane does, runs runs runs.

Aiden fitted in nicely and deserved his goal. Penman worked for long periods of time as a lone front man and always had them struggling with his pace. The whole back 4 then the 3 all defended well, switched off for their 3rd goal.

Midfield managed to play football even with challenges flying in and thank you to to subs for coming on, adapting to the pace and contributing to the win.

Thank you and well done to the 5 peno takers. It's not easy taking them, even harder when the gaffer singles you out to take them, but that's 2 shootouts it's worked on this season with Amesy once again winning it! Superb lads!"

Next up for Cardea is their final league game versus Thorpewood next Sunday at Werrington, while the Reserves play their last game of the season against Dreams Academy at Bushfield.