Green beat Buckingham to reach final four

Crawley Green edged past Buckingham Athletic with a 20th minute goal from Liam Toomey on Tuesday night to set up a Division One Cup semi-final away to Codicote.

It was a game of missed chances, two missed penalties, and entertaining fare from start to finish.

Crawley had the better of the opening quarter of the game with Sam Halfpenny looking dangerous down the right

After 10 minutes Sam Peverall cut in from the left and his cross was turned against the post by a Buckingham defender and the ball hacked to safety.

Two minutes later a Peverall corner from the right was headed wide by Stuart Strange when he should have scored.

After 20 minutes Crawley deservedly took the lead though when Toomey evaded a wild challenge and ran on to plant the ball firmly past Andrew Hammond in the Buckingham goal.

Buckingham almost responded immediately as Dean Bull made a point blank save and Scott Latham lashed the rebound against the bar.

The hosts then had a marvellous opportunity on 25 minutes as Chris Harvey conceded a penalty, but Bull saved well from Dave O’Dell and then blocked the rebound.

Chris Davies went close again for Buckingham, while Paul Dearlove saw his free kick hit the bar.

In the second half Buckingham had the better of the game but were unable to turn their pressure into goals.

Matthew Cruse headed wide when it seemed easier to score and Crawley responded with an effort from Aaron Wilson which cannoned off the post.

Dearlove went close again as Buckingham pressed forward but Crawley always looked dangerous on the break.

In the 80th minute Sam Halfpenny was tripped in the box and Crawley were awarded a penalty, but the normally reliable Stuart Strange kept the game alive as his shot easily saved by Hammond.

Buckingham rallied for a final onslaught but Crawley stood firm to progress into the semi-final.