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Photos: Jack Western
Langwith 2nds overcame a momentary scare in the second half to set up a Vase semi-final clash with Alcuin 3rds next week, beating James 4ths 2-1 this afternoon. Louis Pegg scored a sumptuous free kick to re-establish the lead originally set-up by Craig Burnell, while Sam Wright scored a penalty in between for James.
The first half was notable only for its lack of quality and significant incident. James midfielder Adam Bull had the first real chance, shooting over half way through the first period, before Sam Woodall came close at the other end, sending his powerful shot wide of the uprights.
James did have some pressure late on, unable to turn the ball into the net during one goal-mouth scramble, and Rob Bartlett looping a header over the crossbar for another.
The second half was much more incident-packed, though the game remained very scrappy. Pegg should have opened the scoring three minutes in to the half, finding his close range shot well blocked by Chris Marjoram and cleared for a corner after Ashley Lowe, in goal for James, had been unable to hold on to a low shot-cum-cross.
But James had their share of chances too. Littler took a shot from a narrow angle which Oliver Williamson did well to hold, while a mix-up minutes later saw nobody in yellow deal with a high up-and-under, which drifted narrowly wide of the post.
Six minutes into the half, Langwith led. Woodall used his strength to win the ball out on the right before sending a fizzing ball across the face of goal. Burnell was loitering in the centre of the box and timed his run perfectly to get onto the end of the delivery and hit his first time shot into the gaping goal.
The goal certainly settled Langwith, and for the following ten minutes they were never really troubled by James. That all changed seven minutes from time, though, as James got back on level terms courtesy of a penalty.
Sam Wright had his back to goal around the penalty spot but, as he attempted to control a ball into his chest, was pushed in the back by Mark Starling. Referee Joe Lawton immediately pointed to the spot, and Wright stepped up to convert, though Williamson did dive the correct way.
Langwith felt aggrieved that the penalty was given, but showed their displeasure in the best way possible – by immediately going forward and re-establishing their lead.
It came courtesy of a free kick as Burnell was barged to the ground by Tom Schofield. James claimed it was a shoulder-to-shoulder but, in reality, the tackle went in with excessive force and no visible attempt to play the ball.
Pegg stepped up and, with the James defensive wall at sixes and seven, curled his free kick into the corner of the net.
And despite James’ valiant efforts to level again, they found themselves too lacking in quality to force a penalty shoot-out. Langwith progress to Tuesday’s semi-final.