Cup Kings London Cranes FC broke Southchurch’s hearts in the County cup semi-final, a week after putting a stop on East Thames league run.

 Cranes went in front just five after kick off when Bruno Boris’s beautiful run met equally beautiful pass from Mathew Lsingoma and volleyed home. The visitors quickly put up a gear going forward and got reward when a ball hit off Cranes centre back, David Kayira into the back of the net.

On the 25 th minute the Southchurch went in front when Referee R Creswell gave them a penalty for Sular Kasule's foul on Steve Roberts, who nicely converted to make it (1-2). After conceding, Cranes passed the ball much faster, stretching the visitor’s defence. Bright Wahabu soon released Cranes top score Eric Mboma with keeper to beat only to be fouled. This left Mr Creswell with no choice but to point to the spot kick, which was beautifully struck by Eric for cranes equaliser.

Five minutes to half time Southchurch went in front again with a well struck volley when the home team sweeper was caught in possession. Two minutes into second half Cranes conceded other penalty after Kasule handed the ball. The referee gave him, his match order leaving London cranes down to ten men and 2- 4 down.

As Mr Creswell said at the end of the game, to most team this was game over but their credit Cranes refused to buckle. The player manager Abbey Sebyala made a tactical substitution by bring on Steve Sebina and moving Dennis Kirunda into defence.

He also made a gamble to bring on Ismail Kigozi who was off with a knee injury for four months. Dennis gave the team a better balance and Mr Sebyala’s gamble looked to be paying off when Ismail pulled one goal back to make it (3-4).

With fifteen minutes to go the home got a well deserved equaliser when Mathew dribbled through Southchurch defence before releasing Ismail to make it (4-4). The home team was now majestic, with Cranes’ skipper, Dennis Kirunda solid at the back it was clear that Cranes already to southchurch’s break hearts.

With five minutes to the final whistle Abbey’s gamble paid off when Man of the Match Mathew Lsingoma cleverly pass played in Ismail for his hat-trick to make it 5-4. This is a semi-final that will surely go down as one of the most remarkable in the magical history the Essex county junior cup competitions.

Line up: Hassan Kyazze, Douglas Lubega, Sam Rascal, David Kayira, Sular Kasule, Allan Mugisha, Bruno Boris, Dennis Kirunda, Eric Mboma, Mathew Lsingoma, Bright Wahabu. Sub: Steve Sebina, Steve Sebugwawo, Ismail Kigozi, Allan Ellieh, Yusuf Nduviriye.