On a chilly, but dry evening, Tooting Bec won at Lewisham Borough CFC in the second semi final of the Southern Counties East Football League Division One Cup.

Lloyd Davis’ Borough have dropped into the bottom three of the league and will probably be prioritising safety, however, their guests are comfortable in mid-table and now have a cup final with Lordswood to anticipate.

Although Bronum Reynolds shot well over from out wide for Lewisham, Tooting Bec started the more lively without creating clear cut openings.

It was then the hosts’ turn to enjoy more of the possession and some of their football was pleasing to watch. However, it was a dead ball situation that almost brought them a goal. John Garcia delivered a corner, there was chaos in the penalty area, and Joe Martin had to hack it off the line.

Daniel Flemming and Garcia both hit low shots that were saved comfortably by Oliver Skibinski before the pendulum swung back in favour of the visitors.

Aiden Sanfelice struck a fifteen yard shot that came back out of the underside of the bar then Kieon James hit a low cross shot that was claimed well by James Boughtflower at the near post. One minute before half time Tooting Bec went ahead. Martin was played through and fired towards the far post. Although Boughtflower got his finger tips to it, he couldn’t stop it from going in.

Early in the second period, Lewisham’s Benjie Robinson shot low from the right and Skibinski claimed it at the second attempt then Donnell Anderson’s clever flick made space for himself but he seemed to be in two minds in whether to shoot or look for a through ball and he could only lob it through to the Bec’s goalkeeper.

Sanfelice belted a free kick well over before Lewisham substitute Bryan Zepo threaded through a pass to Edward Asiamah, but he was unable to get enough on to it to guide it past Skibinski. Another substitute, Alberto Garcia, shot well over from twenty-five yards before John Garcia’s free kick found Reese Cartwright who fired straight at Skibinski.

Once again, dead ball specialist, John Garcia delivered a corner and Cartwright’s strong header was tipped over by the Bec’s goalkeeper.

Throwing players forward meant that Lewisham were prone to the counter-attack and with a minute remaining, Kai Udondem broke through. Although his initial shot was blocked, it came back out to him and he made no mistake with his follow up.

Cartwright pulled one back in the final minute when heading home another John Garcia corner and Lewisham had one last chance to equalise deep into stoppage time. Zepo laid it back to Asiamah, but he fired over from ten yards out.

Lewisham Borough: Boughtflower; Rye, Flemming, Harvey, Kerlew-Stewart; Anderson (A. Garcia 67), Webb: Reynolds (Cartwright 60), J, Garcia, Asiamah (George-Lawal 73); Carrera (Zepo 60).

Sub not used: Apena.

Goal scorer: Cartwright (90)

Yellow card: Flemming (10 foul)

Tooting Bec: Skibinski; James, Farrow, Degannes-Fidyk, Antwi; Sanfelice (Lampard 76); Robinson (Olito 90+2), Martin (Udondem 81), Negassi (Taylor-Kamara 81); Lu, Tedros (Ndiaye 68).

Subs not used: None. 

Goal scorers: Martin (44), Udomdem (89)

Yellow card: Farrow (80 foul) 

Referee: Jack Owen

Assistants: Paul Greenfield and Tarik Guarnane

Attendance: 54