Maltby Main pip Parkgate to reach Sheffield Senior Cup final

Action from the Sheffield Senior Cup semi-final. Pictures by KERRIE BEDDOWS

MALTBY Main are looking forward to their first Sheffield Senior Cup final in more than 40 years after a close semi-final win over local rivals Parkgate.

The Miners came from 1-0 down at half time to win 3-2 in a cracking encounter at Muglet Lane watched by a crowd of 307.

ln the final they will meet Worksop Town, who beat Rossington Main 2-1 in the other last-four tie.

Parkgate were last in the final ten years ago and their hopes of a repeat were raised when Jack Bancroft rounded stand-in goalkeeper Jonathan Hill to slot the underdogs into a first-half lead.

Kicking down the slope in the second half, Main pressed 'Gate back and turned the tie on its head with two goals in eight minutes. First, the impressive Alex Hardwick crossed for Jordan Turner to turn the ball into the roof of the net and the defender then converted from a tight angle for 2-1.

The Steelmen dug in and revived chances of an upset when Haydn Ward stole in to equalise just after the hour as Maltby failed to clear their lines.

Even though Hardwick seized on a defensive mix-up to lob Main back into the lead, it took a goalline clearance in the closing minutes to make sure of their passage to the final.

Manager Louis Axcell said: "The match was a credit to Rotherham football. The town's two highest semi-pro sides put on a great game and we are chuffed because we battled hard and got the win in the end, but praise to Parkgate. They played a big part."

Main will now look to emulate the Maltby team of 1978, who beat Mexborough Town Athletic to lift the trophy at Doncaster Rovers' old Belle Vue ground.