Magpies Vets in National Final

National Hockey Veterans Cup semi-final

Harleston Magpies Veterans 3 Bournville Veterans 1

Harleston Magpies Veterans team will play Exeter's Isca in the final of the Veterans Cup after a semi-final win over Bournville.

Having beaten last year's champions in the previous round Bournville arrived as favourites and from the start the Magpies were put under pressure and found it hard to move the ball out of defence.

After ten minutes though, against the run of play, Magpies won a penalty corner from which John Aldridge ultimately scored from a narrow angle.

Bournville continued to press forward but squandered several penalty corners. Just before half time keeper David Brown pulled off a stunning save from a fiercely struck shot and Magpies went into half time with a slender lead.

Towards half time Magpies had begun to fight their way into the game and within five minutes of the restart they extended this lead when David Blackmore found Roger Kent in Bournville's circle and Kent scored from close range.

The game was now much more open with Bournville still seeking a goal. Within five minutes of Magpies going two up the visitors scored with a well worked goal. Bournville continued to press forward and with quarter of an hour to go were awarded a controversial penalty stroke. Brown once again came to Magpies rescue when he brilliantly deflected the ball onto the post and to safety.

In the final ten minutes both teams went for the kill and eventually, with Bournville pressing forward for the equaliser, Magpies broke away to score. Good play between Roger Kent and Andy Kasten led to Kasten slotting home the final goal with a well controlled reverse stick shot.

The final against Exeter's Isca will be played at Chelmsford on April 22.