Halstead Town's superb season reached a new high when they booked their place in the Essex Senior Cup final.
Andy Clark's heroes produced a devastating second-half blast to swat aside Bowers and Pitsea United 3-0.
Bowers gave a good account of themselves in the first half, but the Essex Senior League side simply could not hold the visitors after the break.
Halstead found the net in the first minute of the second period following a corner, but the effort was ruled out for an infringement.
However, two goals in seven minutes put them in the driving seat. Several dangerous attacks were repelled by the home side until the 53rd minutes when Halstead's eighth corner was rewarded when Ben Cranfield rammed home a low shot for his 21st of the season.
This was followed by a Gareth Heath spot-kick, which he won following a typical surging run which was upended by Adam Swindells.
This double blow spelled the end of the hosts, who were increasingly being overwhelmed by the speed of the raids by Halstead's front line,
which included several useful openings.
On 75 minutes, after Halstead brought on Paul Miles for Kevin Inglis, the visitors wrapped up the game.
A brilliant five-man move down the left ended with Bowers keeper Wickens parrying Cranfield's shot only for Matt Carmichael to cut in and thunder home the rebound.
Halstead will face either Southend United or Thurrock in the cup final at Roots Hall.
Published Wednesday, February 9, 2005
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