Richmond Town will take on Silksworth in the final of this seasons Monkwearmouth Charity Cup after knocking out league title contenders Hebburn Town Reserves.
In a nail-biting semi-final a penalty shoot out was needed to decide the winner.
Going in as underdogs, the travelling supporters sensed real belief among the players during the warm up, and after making a confident start Jason Newall stunned the home support when he thundered a header into the back of the net from Jimmy Muir’s corner kick.
The wind, as has been the norm over recent weeks, was to play a factor and Richmond, having the advantage of playing with it at their backs during the opening period, were determined to make it count.
Ben Darville went close to adding to the score but was kept out by Hebburn’s keeper Sam Taylor who made a good save.
Former Darlington striker Shaun Reay had the host’s first real sight at goal when the ball fell nicely to him, but his shot was just high of the target.
Darville then went agonisingly close after spotting Taylor off his line. From Lewis Cocks’ raking ball over the top, Town’s top scorer saw his effort drop inches wide of the post with Hebburn hearts in mouths.
Tom Carniege-Brown, asked to play further up the pitch than what we’re used to seeing him, was running his socks off, and went close just before the break bringing another save out of Taylor who had to be at full stretch to deny the youngster.
Hebburn started the second half the better of the two sides and it was a matter of Richmond weathering the expected storm, but with 50 minutes on the clock they failed to clear a corner from which Josh Houghton fired through a crowded box beyond Richmond’s recently signed keeper Callum Leddicott.
Jonathan Kellett’s team reacted well after conceding and went close again after a Chris Layfield throw found Scott Guy whose overhead kick went over the bar.
Chris Pattison was next to go close, but he too saw his shot go over the bar following a neat move with Darville.
Substitute Dylan Wardale’s introduction caused Hebburn’s right back problems.
Twice he went close after getting beyond his marker shooting across goal and wide with his first chance and forcing a save from Taylor shortly after.
As the game entered its final few minutes, Hebburn were pushing for a winner but couldn’t break down a Richmond team that were working so hard for each other and with game almost over it was the visitors who almost snatched victory but Guy couldn’t get the contact needed, and so the game would be decided from 12 yards with no extra time being played.
Muir was first up and he made no mistake firing into the top corner.
It was advantage Richmond moments later when Hebburn’s first spot kick was blazed over the bar and the stand behind the goal, the ball later retrieved from the street outside the ground.
Darville, Newall then James Moohan all converted as did Hebburn’s next three takers, giving Chris Layfield the chance to settle the game.
Despite a good strike of the ball, Taylor saved brilliantly giving his side a lifeline, Leddicott had other ideas however and produced a superb save diving to his left to send Richmond into the final which is scheduled to be played over May day bank holiday weekend.
