Willersey 2,

Lower Moor United 1

WILLERSEY booked their place in the semi-final of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup following Sunday's hard-fought battle with their Division Two rivals, writes Mick Clewes.

Seemingly cruising to a two-goal victory, the hosts had to endure an agonising eight minutes of stoppage time after the visitors pulled a goal back in the last minute of normal time.

Former Bretforton man Darren Reeves had fired the section leaders into a first half lead when he scored from the penalty spot after Lloyd Puttock had been adjudged to have handled. Reeves calmly slotting the ball past Adrian Pritchard to give his side a deserved interval lead.

Robbie Hinds had the ball in the Moor net earlier only to find his effort ruled out for offside and then the same player blazed over the bar after a great run down the left.

The slope and a stiff breeze favoured Willersey in the first half and they had other good efforts from Andy Beale and Ben Piercey who both went close.

Moor replied with a Phil Withers header, which was well saved by Jamie Powell and then home skipper Dun-can Beale blocked a piledriver from Simon Cooper.

The visitors came more into it during the second period with strikers Chris Bate and Steve Pitcher both having chances to equalise.

Goalkeeper Pritchard was fortunate to remain on the pitch when referee Peter Stowe penalised him for handling outside the area. After seeing just yellow the Moor keeper then made a brilliant save from the resulting free kick to further infuriate the home crowd and keep his side in the game.

His joy was shortlived, though, when Reeves sent Pie-rcy clear ten minutes from time and he drove the ball into the net.

United then pulled it back to 2-1 when Puttock made ame-nds for his earlier aberration when he rose to head home Bate's free kick to leave the hosts sweating at the end.