Senior Cup semi final:

Johnston 0–7 Hakin United

Captain Nicky Woodrow struck four times as Hakin United hammered Johnston to reach a first Senior Cup final since they last won the competition in the 2011/2012 season.

A Woodrow brace gave The Vikings a 2-0 lead at the break, and in the second half he added two more to go with goals from Ben Steele, Ashley Bevan, and James Stanmore.

Johnston’s cause was not helped by a first half red card to defender Ross Williams – which capped a harrowing night for The Tigers as they failed to ever mount any sustained periods of pressure.

The soaking Bridge Meadow surface survived a late pitch inspection prior to the game – and when things did get underway there was little in the way of early chances.

Johnston striker Joe John slipped as he tried to latch onto a Ryan Doyle through ball, and at the other end, Ben Williams had to be alert to cut out Ben Steele’s cross with Woodrow lurking.

But as the half wore on, The Vikings began to take command and Steve Mathias should have done better when he blazed over from a Woodrow cut-back.

Bevan then poked wide from close range after being set-up by Stanmore - and then on 31 minutes, Gary Dawes’ side made their dominance count as Woodrow headed in superbly from Steele’s chipped cross.

Johnston keeper Joel Codd then had to be quickly off his line to beat Woodrow to Bevan’s through ball – but six minutes before the break the Hakin skipper grabbed his second when Matthew Broome released Mathias down the right, and his centre was met by Woodrow who stabbed home.

And moments later, the same player came close to a first half hat-trick as he skipped past Phillips but dragged his left foot shot wide.

Things then went from bad to worse for The Tigers when Williams clashed with Steele, and after play resumed, the former appeared to lash out at the same player off the ball, with referee Dai Badger showing no hesitation in showing Williams a straight red card.

The decision left Johnston with a mountain to climb and although John was just off target from long range, The Vikings fashioned another opening right on half time but Mathias again shot over following Bevan’s mazy run and pass.

Bevan himself was inches wide with a 20-yard shot early in the second half, before Ryan Doyle was off target from a similar distance for The Tigers.

But after Stanmore shot across goal for The Vikings, any hopes of a Johnston comeback were then quashed on 51 minutes when Bevan teed up Steele, who duly cut inside onto his right foot and fired a low shot home.

Bevan, Stanmore, and Woodrow then all went close to a fourth for Hakin before The Tigers, who badly missed the in-form Adam Hawkins up front, had an opening when John went through on goal only to be denied by on-rushing keeper James Manson.

With 20 minutes left, Dawes’ men turned on the style and Woodrow sealed his treble when he tapped home from Bevan’s unselfish lay off.

And three minutes later, the provider turned scorer as Bevan’s angled left foot shot crept under Codd to make it 5-0.

Johnston then went close when substitute Andrew Murray had a header cleared off the line by Jonathan Bennett, but after John was again denied by Manson when clean through – Hakin turned an already comprehensive win into a rout late on.

On 80 minutes, Woodrow grabbed his fourth when he headed in another Steele cross – and with five minutes left, James Stanmore scored the goal of the night as his right foot shot on the edge of the area rifled into the top corner.

It completed a clinical night’s work for The Vikings, who will now face defending champions Goodwick United in the Senior Cup final on Saturday, April 9th, at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Johnston: Joel Codd, Ricky Thomas, Steven Mills, Ross Williams, Ben Phillips, Sion Price, Ryan Doyle (Andrew Murray 72), Luke Hayward (captain), Tom Wilks (Scott Murray 52), Joe John, Joey George.

Sub not used: Bradley Barrett.

Hakin United: James Manson, Ewan Findlay, Matthew Broome (Daniel Evans. 84), Daniel Armstrong (Michael Cooper 55), Jonathan Bennett, (Stuart McDonald 84), Mark Jones, Ashley Bevan, Steve Mathias, James Stanmore, Ben Steele, Nicky Woodrow (captain).

Referee: Dai Badger.

Assistant referees: Sean O’Connor and Geoff Hurton.

Fourth official: James Olyott.