The reserves travelled to Sandhurst Town on Monday evening and in a friendly picturesque setting, Colin Davis' side progressed through to a second cup final with a 3-2 win courtesy of an opener from Stafforde Palmer and a brace from top scorer Adam Cornell.

The Missioners went close early on when Miles Jones found top scorer Cornell who turn back from the byeline and shot for the bottom corner only to be denied by the outstretched foot of home keeper Luke Groves.

Sandhurst's first chance came four minutes later when Kev Vallance got his head to a free-kick but his effort was well off target. Chances then began to arrive with increasing frequency and a goal apiece. Hayes opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Jones flicked on a long John Peacock clearance to Palmer who coolly turned past his marker before firing past Groves from ten yards.

Centre-half Bradley Edmunds was just off target with a powerful header from Darren Spinks corner and almost immediately at the other end home centre-back Luke Burns headed to Vallance but his volley was too high. The respite for the Missioners lasted seconds though as the home side levelled the tie on eighteen minutes, Karl Smith won the ball in midfield before playing Marc Bartholomew in on goal where he confidently fired past Peacock.

Spinks almost put the Missioners ahead again but his swerving free-kick was just wide of the target while a free-kick at the other end was struck well by Adam Wareham but was also just off target. As it had for most of the half, play swung straight back down the other end, Palmer seeing his 25 yard drive pushed out by Groves to Edmunds but his follow up was kicked off the line by a covering defender.

Six minutes remained to the break when the lead was regained, Dwain Williams played Palmer down the line and he cut the ball back to Cornell who beat Groves from the edge of the box, and he didn't mis-hit the shot at all, so he says!

On the stroke of half time Cornell set up Rhys Price, but his effort from just outside the area was well saved by a diving Groves.

The home side started well in the second period and went close early on when substitute Chris Yates set up Karl Smith on the edge but his shot curled away wide of the upright. With just over an hour played a second Cornell goal extended the lead, Jones raced away down the left before finding Williams, his drive was well saved by Groves but the predatory Cornell was on hand to net. (note to Adam, your mum was chatting and missed that one!!)

Cornell missed out on a hat-trick three minutes later when his header from Jones cross was too high while Yates again went close for the home side from distance. Price then saw a 25 yarder miss the target by inches before the home side got back in the game with eight minutes remaining. A long ball to the impressive Bartholomew saw him toe the ball past the oncoming Peacock, the keeper toppled him and referee Skull pointed to the spot. Karl Smith duly stepped up and pulled his side to within a single goal.

With four minutes of the ninety remaining the home side will be cursing their square posts, substitute Liam Vickery advanced towards the area before unleashing a fierce drive that beat Peacock only to come back into play off the corner of the post to be hacked clear by Toby Little.

Despite referee Skull playing in excess of 6 minutes stoppage time, we held on and now face either Tonbridge Angels or AFC Wimbledon in the Challenge Shield Final on a date to be decided.

Report by Kevin Watts.