Icarus made it into the final of the Middlesex/Essex Cup after a nail biting last minute goal in extra time against Hale End Athletic on Saturday 27 February.

A confident Icarus lined up against London side Hale End and set about their task immediately as a Jason Parr long through was flicked on at the near post by Jim Schofield straight across the 6 yard box. Five minutes later a powerful Parr header from a Joe Griffin corner was well saved by the Hale End keeper.

Icarus had started well and looked firm favourites to take the lead and they were particularly dangerous from set pieces and long throws. Lee Hodgkinson headed just wide from another outstanding Griffin free kick after 20 minutes. On the 35 minute mark Icarus were shocked as Steve Taylor in goals misjudged a Hale End cross and was beaten to it. He could only watch as the ball looped over his head and into the goal.

Hale End had their tails up now and Icarus struggled to get their rhythm going as mistakes began to creep into the game. At half time the Icarus players received a few choice words from Stu Lindsay and left the dressing room with no doubt as to what was expected of them!

The second half began exactly to plan as Icarus won a corner. Joe Griffin hit another excellent delivery and Parr once gain got there first and this time he saw his header fly into the roof of the net. At 1-1 Icarus surged forward for the winner. Gino Portaluri floated a lovely cross to the far post which Tom Summerville met with a fantastic header. As the ball looped over the keeper and hit the cross bar it looked to everyone as if it would drop into the goal, however, physics intervened and it bounced away from the line and the ball was hit over the bar by an on rushing Portaluri.

The final whistle sounded to end the 90 minutes and extra time began with Icarus looking stronger and fitter, Jim Schofield was setting a superb example with his tremendous work rate. Hale End broke with their only meaningful attack of extra time and Taylor saved low to his right a well struck shot form 16 yards. It seemed that however much Icarus throw at Hale End their keeper would find an answer and it was looking as if penalties would decide the tie as the clock showed 5 minutes to go.

Icarus won an innocuous free kick 40 yards out and Griffin stepped up yet again to fire the ball into the box. This time he sent it low and hard to the near post and the Hale End full back stooped to head clear only to see the ball hit the back of his own net. It seemed ironic that after all the pressure Icarus has put on Hale End it was an own goal which settled the match.

As the referee blew the final whistle the Icarus players celebrated on the pitch and commiserated Hale End who had put in a superb battling performance.

Icarus manger, John Hetherington, told us, 'I am very proud of all the players, we have been working toward reaching a Cup Final since the Club re-entered competitive Cup Football after a few years of just playing friendly fixtures and this is a superb reward for the hard work of everyone involved with Icarus FC'.

The final is due to be played in London on Sat 27 Match.

Team: Steve Taylor, Jase Parr, Andrew Arnison, Greg Shutie, Jim Schofield, Sparky Hyland, Andrew Martins-Tonks (Scott Hyneman 85 (Rich Lewis 118)), Joe Griffin, Gino Portaluri, Lee Hodgkinson, John Hetherington (Tom Summerville 46)