Starting XI
1) Mark Manley
2) David Manley
3) Carl French
4) Russell Palmer
5) Richard Schuchardt
6) Matthew Rowley
7) Craig Palfrey 
8) Gareth Fundalski
9) Stephen Mustey
10) Lewis Foley
11) Ross Gunter

Northern went into this game after a superb 3-1 win in the previous round. No one expected success this time. 

The game started off with both teams having a few attacks and Northern were the first to draw blood. A cross from the right wing resulted in a chance for Mustey who tried a volley. Although the connection wasn't the best the ball bobbled over the keeper and into the net. It was just the start that Northern wanted.

After such an early goal you would have expected the opposition to burst into life but it was the complete opposite. Northern continued attacking. A through ball by Richard Schuchardt enabled Mustey a free shot on goal but he managed to screw his shot wide. Half way through the half a right wing corner by Carl French was converted into his own goal by one of their defenders. It was a strange goal as the defender was under no pressure. Never mind they all count!  Soon afterwards Ross Gunter turned well in the box and Mustey fired home his second for 3-0.

Throughout the half Northern seemed comfortable at the back (Not something usually associated with the back four!). The turning point of the whole game came just before half time when a well struck shot from an opposition's midfielder found the net with Mark Manley stranded. This started 5 minutes of panic throughout the Northern team and they were grateful to hear the half time whistle.

The second half started off as the first ended. More Network Design pressure meant that a goal was bound to come. It did 10 minutes into the half when a left wing cross was headed in by one of the smallest players on the pitch. Questions had to be asked about the defending as there were Northern players just standing still.

At this point the opposition were just attacking at will. The equalising goal came and the teams were set for extra time. A silly mistake by Matthew Rowley nearly cost Northern the game at the end but a draw was probably the best result as Northern were constantly defending in the second half.

The first half of extra time was uneventful really. A few chances for both teams but nothing worth commenting on.

The second half saw Network Design grab the winner with a headed goal a Network Design's defender. It was the same guy who scored the O.G. in the first half so he was chuffed to say the least! This woke Northern up a little and they had their best spell since the first 20 minutes of the game. A crude tackle and dissent by a Network Design player meant that they had to play out the final minutes with 10 men. Just before the final whistle Mustey had a great chance to take the game to penalties but he blasted over when clean through.

Overall not a bad performance from Northern. They showed that there is not much difference between the leagues and on another day they would have gone through.

Subs: Simon Paterson 
Scorers: Stephen Mustey 2, O.G. (awarded to Carl French)

* Match Reports represent the opinion of the author and in no way represent the opinions of CNFC.