Broughton & Kirkby Hibs 1 vs 2 Northallerton Police FC

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Northallerton Police v Broughton & Kirkby Hibs 9.3.14

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">We travelled to Broughton and Kirkby Hibs in the semi final of the Frank Bainbridge Division 1 cup.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">&nbsp;We got off to a great start scoring after 3 mins when a David Cooke left wing cross was brought down by Sam Vernalls who shot home via the underside of the cross bar.&nbsp; The ball bounced back into play, however assistant referee Jonty Gill flagged to confirm the ball had crossed the goal line and referee Andy Foster awarded the goal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">&nbsp;We continued to have most of the possession, however, the Broughton defence held firm and gradually came more into the game with the midfield promptings of Paul Storey.&nbsp; He had the ball in the net after 23mins when he had a one on one with Police keeper Adam Cunningham.&nbsp; Cunningham reached the ball first but didn&rsquo;t take it cleanly and Storey put the ball into the empty net only for referee Foster to disallow it adjudging Storey had kicked the ball out of the keepers hands.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">&nbsp;Three minutes later Broughton were level when a high ball was called for by Cunningham, however, he dropped it and Chris Naisby slotted home the loose ball.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">&nbsp;Two minutes later a Cooke corner was headed over by Nick Armstrong.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">Two minutes later a Michael Gunnell left wing cross was headed just over by Scott Ryan.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">&nbsp;Half time 1-1

<p class="MsoNormal">Four mins into the second half a Ashley Mc Inerney left wing cross was headed goal wards by Jonny Morris and Hibs keeper Gareth Simpson made a fine one handed save to deny him a goal.

<p class="MsoNormal">After 64mins Vernalls had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed for a push by Gunnell in the build up.

<p class="MsoNormal">Broughton hit back and Cunningham made a brilliant save from a Broughton forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">Full time 1-1

<p class="MsoNormal">Play was fairly even with defences being on top and a lot of tired legs out on the pitch and scoring chances at a premium.

<p class="MsoNormal">On 93mins a Cooke left wing free kick was headed against the bar by Vernalls.

<p class="MsoNormal">Half time extra time 1-1

<p class="MsoNormal">On 109mins a long throw from Gunnell was headed on by Vernalls and Chris Walker scored with a diving header at the far post only for it to be disallowed for offside by assistant referee Mark De Cosemo.

<p class="MsoNormal">With seven mins to go Police scored what proved to be the winner when a Cooke cross from the left was headed on by Ryan to Walker who volleyed it into the top corner.

<p class="MsoNormal">Full time extra time 1-2

<p>&nbsp;This was a hard fought semi final played in a good spirit and a great advert for the Combination.