After the disappointment of last weekend, Stewkley's attention turned to the Oving Cup on Saturday, and it was a repeat of last year's final, this time in the semi final, as Stewkley and Wingrave met at Oving Recreation Ground to secure a spot in the final on Easter Monday.

Budgen & Howard had to shuffle the pack with strict qualification of players meaning some first team regulars were unavailable.

Stewkley in their yellow strip got proceedings underway and started the game on the front foot. In the opening five minutes Cristofoli and Hardings both had shots from the edge of the box saved by the Wingrave keeper but not long after the the picture changed significantly.

Wingrave played the ball in behind Scharff and the Wingrave striker picked the ball up and drove towards the Stewkley box, Wagner tried to cover round and tried to win the ball but clattered the Wingrave man and brought him down on the edge of the box. After a long deliberation the referee showed Wagner a red card as he was given his marching orders. With only 6 minutes on the clock it was set to be a long afternoon for 10 men Stewkley.

The resulting free kick drew a smart save from Essex in goal who's handling was assured to make sure the onrushing strikers couldn't pounce on the rebound. After the sending off, Stewkey shuffled the pack and dropped skipper Budgen in at centre back leaving Hardings and Roadnight to do the work in central midfield. Although Stewkley were down to 10 men it was still them driving forward and taking the game to Wingrave.

Scrivener and Faulkner were getting plenty of space to play down the left and it was the latter who worked himself some space after cutting inside and hitting a shot with his weaker right foot, which the Wingrave stopper was equal too. After that McKenna and Reeves down the right were getting some joy too and a ball into the box found it's way out to Roadnight, but his shot was blocked. Stewkley were again in down the right hand side when McKenna combined with Roadnight who found Hardings in space and he ran into the box and unleashed a shot with his left foot which had the Wingrave keeper rooted to the spot, luckily for him the ball whistled past the post and out for a goal kick.

Despite the extra man advantage Wingrave were struggling to break down an organised and structured Stewkley who dropped into low block when out of possesion.

Half Time - Stewkley 0-0 Wingrave.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first, as Stewkley threatened the Wingrave goal and so nearly opened the scoring when Faulkner combined with Hardings and from 12 yards out his shot just flashed over the bar. At the other end Stewkley's stubborn shape off the ball was causing Wingrave to play long balls into the box which Budgen and Scharff were sweeping up and Essex in goal too, was dealing with comfortably.

Eventually the deadlock was broken, as Reeves from right back picked up the ball and drove inside towards the centre circle before timing a lovely pass into the path of Faulkner who ran through on goal and calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net. Stewkley 1-0 Wingrave.

A few minutes later Faulkner was replaced by Kirchin and Cristofoli by Lafferty. There was very little in the way of chances after the first goal, until Wingrave eventually unpicked the Stewkley lock. A ball over the top of Scrivener caught him flat footed and the Wingrave winger took a smart touch and lobbed the ball over Essex and into the back of the net. Stewkley 1-1 Wingrave.

Conceding did little to stop the boys in yellow from trying to restore their lead. Again some smart interchange play between Reeves, McKenna and Roadnight saw a dangerous ball into the box from the right land at the feet of Kirchin who misconnected with his shot and the ball rolled harmlessly into the hands of the keeper.

Soon though Stewkley were in again, this time a lovely reverse pass from Roadnight found Scrivener who'd charged forward from left back. He then cut the ball back into the feet of Lafferty who from 3 yards out couldn't miss. Stewkley 2-1 Wingrave.

Wingrave had to find a sense of urgency to their play after that goal, with little less than 10 minutes on the clock. Stewkley again were working tirelessly out of possesion to limit them to long balls into the box. Scharff was a man mountain at times throwing his body in front of shots and ensuring that nothing was going to stop the boys in yellow from reaching the final.

Full Time: Stewkley 2-1 Wingrave
Scorers: Faulkner & Lafferty

Next Up: Willen (H) North Bucks Premier Division Trophy, 14:00 KO