Burton Joyce 6-3 Clifton Wanderers (aet) - Nottinghamshire FA Junior County Cup Quarter-Final - Saturday 6th February

This fixture had it all and was definitely one for the neutral to enjoy; a fast paced game from start to finish containing nine goals, two red cards, several more yellows, last minute heroics and much more. In all honesty an entertaining game was expected from a fixture featuring two sides that had only lost once each all season prior to this game and contrary to usual big match games this one did not fail to live up to expectations.

Following BJ's first defeat in over a year last week Darren Ward's men walked out in their new strip hoping it would bring them luck and progression to their second semi final of the season. For the first two minutes Clifton Wanderers enjoyed more possession of the ball but that was about all they had for most of the first half. The Greens kept the ball in the visitor's half for long periods at a time but couldn't seem to find the killer pass and lofted balls into the area were promptly cleared to safety. A neat through ball to Josh Bee looked to give BJ the first clear cut chance of the game midway through the half but the referee decided he was off side going against his linesman. The Clifton right back, on the far side, had kept Bee onside by approximately 10 yards, which the linesman had noticed but the referee with a worse view decided to override his assistant. This wasn't the first time the man in black had chosen to go against the linesman as moments earlier he had flagged for a corner to BJ following a tackle right next to him only for the referee, stood at least 25 yards away, to decide it was in fact a goal kick. Despite Burton Joyce's dominance it was Clifton who took the lead against the run of play. A neat turn and flick over the head of Danny Harris shortly before half time saw the Clifton centre midfielder slot a ball through to the striker, the number 14's run took him to the corner before his cross was met by one of his supporting teammates who hit home to make it BJ 0-1 Clifton Wanderers. It was definitely not the way that the NAA Premiership outfit wanted to go in at the break and could easily have had detrimental effects on the side's confidence and self belief.

The home side started the second half brightly and went straight at Clifton to try and draw level and soon won an important corner. Jamie Powdrill, who started right midfield in a 4-4-2 formation for the Greens, planted the ball right on Danny Harris' head at the near post where he nodded home to equalise. The feeling amongst the Green Army that they would be able to build on this and go on and win the game but straight from the restart Clifton regained the lead. A long ball down the wing saw them win a throw in and from that a scramble in the box allowed Clifton to smash home and go 2-1 up. BJ still dominated the second half much like the first and when Sam Buckle was brought down by the last man just outside the box the referee had little choice than to show the Clifton defender the red card. Darron Ward chose to sling on top scorer Troy Smith, who had been struggling with sickness ahead of the match, in the hope he could produce the kind of form he has shown throughout both cup competitions and inspire his side to victory. However, Burton Joyce struggled to take advantage of having an extra man and ended up going 3-1 down following a thunderous effort from outside the box.

Jamie Powdrill thought he had got his third goal of the season when he tapped home at the far post. The linesman's flag remained down but again the referee, in a worse position decided to override his assistant and award a free kick to Clifton for offside.

With little under 10 minutes remaining it was all or nothing for BJ and Nathaniel Roberts was chucked on to replace Josh Bee. Roberts' appearance was short lived however. Shortly after his introduction Roberts brought the ball down with his chest before passing it on, an ill timed sliding challenge saw Roberts softly flick his foot out and the referee blow up and award a foul to the visitors. The substitute went over to man in black as asked expecting to receive a yellow card for the silly but not dangerous or malicious incident. Despite his expectations, and those of most around, the referee elected to show the new introduction a red card little over a minute of him joining the match. There is a view that he was looking to level the amount of players on each side following the earlier red card but that will be of little comfort to Roberts who now faces a fine and suspension.

To be two goals down with minutes remaining can be mentally and physically straining for any side as they aim to do the unthinkable and gain something from a match but BJ were determined to put up a fight. A slick Richard Coleman pass to Jamie Powdrill in the box allowed the winger to score the goal he had deserved and make up for that he had earlier had chalked off incorrectly making the score BJ 2-3 Clifton Wanderers. The Greens were still behind and needing to score another goal without conceding as the game went in to stoppage time. Darren Smith was showing how much getting through to the Semi Finals meant as he galloped out of his goal and looked to thump the ball forward. A Matt Ward shot from inside the area looked destined for the top corner but when it was knocked wide it looked as though BJ had missed their best chance but they did have a corner. Jamie Powdrill, already with one assist from the same corner went over to take it, a dangerous ball dropped at the feet of BJ Goalkeeper Darren Smith, who had come up for the last chance of the game. Smith brought the ball under control at the back post before releasing his shot which hit the woodwork before hitting the back of the net and sending the game into extra time. It was unbelievable, it was what goalkeepers dream about but few manage, had this been a story in a Hollywood blockbuster it would be labelled as farfetched and would be ridiculed by critics but the celebrations showed this real life. Smith ran with his fists pumping in the air before sliding legs spread wide into the corner flag and being bottom of a mass team pile on.

An extra thirty minutes were required to be played and it was clear there were a lot of tired legs developing. BJ had already proven that there is no such thing as impossible and there is always a way if you work hard enough once but still had to either take the lead for the first time or wait for the lottery of penalties. Clifton were clearly demoralised by the way in which they had let a two goal lead slip in the last five minutes whilst BJ were playing full of confidence. It didn't take long for the pre-match favourites to go 4-3 up in extra time when Sam Buckle, played through by Troy Smith slotted home. An aerobatic celebration was unexpected but enjoyed by the BJ faithful and showed Buckle still had bags full of energy to help his side progress even though he had been first to everything throughout. Troy Smith had a golden opportunity to put the Greens clear into pole position when he was put through one-on-one but unfortunately saw his shot saved by the trailing legs of the impressive Clifton keeper. Smith was to be slipped through again moments later but this time he was brought to ground and the referee rightly awarded the penalty. Jamie Powdrill, who had been playing excellently throughout and had a hand in all three of BJ's goals in normal time stood up to take the penalty. Powdrill's penalty was a good one and saw the Green Army put one foot firmly into the Semi Final. A Troy Smith run in the second half of extra-time saw him skip a couple of challenges before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home for 6-3 to finish off the game as any real contest.

So after all the drama it was BJ who progressed through to their second Semi Final of the season and remain in pursuit of three pieces of silverware. After this game and the terrific fight back surely anything his possible for this side who face bottom of the league Calverton MW at home next week. Is this the start of another long unbeaten run? The BJ faithful will hope so.

Man of the Match - Sam Buckle. Deployed in his favoured striker position Buckle was back to his best and chased down every single ball. Jamie Powdrill also produced a stunning performance and Darren Smith definitely deserves a special mention for the simple fact he scored with the last kick of the normal 90 minutes but Buckles determination throughout the match saw him awarded the man of the match accolade.