Terry Pateman bagged his first hat-trick of the season as Probuild booked another cup final place. They had a brilliant 3-1 win against Whitwell Village at Thomas Alleyne School in the semi-finals of the Benevolent Shield (Premier Division Cup). Whitwell

Terry Pateman bagged his first hat-trick of the season as Probuild booked another cup final place.

They had a brilliant 3-1 win against Whitwell Village at Thomas Alleyne School in the semi-finals of the Benevolent Shield (Premier Division Cup).

Whitwell sprang out of the blocks with pace and purpose as they tested keeper Graham Wraight with several shots from Richard Savio and Ross Kitely in the first 15 minutes.

But it was Probuild who took the initiative two minutes later with a good move that started with Stephen Teale whipping in a cross for Gary Pomfret to head down for Pateman who nipped ahead of his marker to flash a shot past the keeper.

Jamie Campney missed clear-cut chances for Probuild but Whitwell still looked dangerous on the break and the exciting Kitely blasted a right-foot shot wide after cleverly cutting in from the wing.

Then in the 28th minute, Richard Hall had an opportunity but his shot was saved superbly by the Whitwell keeper.

Probuild doubled their lead five minutes later as Pateman picked up a ball from Pomfret and curled a glorious shot into the top corner for a brilliant second.

Against the run of play after the break, Whitwell midfielder Darren Collins volleyed a spectacular goal from 30 yards on 57 minutes to halve the deficit.

With three minutes remaining, Pomfret tricked his way through the Whitwell defence before crossing the ball to Pateman who tapped the ball into the corner.

They will meet Nirankari in the final after the committee awarded them their semi-final against Redbourn which was postponed the previous week.

The final between Nirankari and Probuild is at Hitchin Town FC on Thursday, May 1 (7.30pm ko).

This Saturday sees the Greg Cup semi-final between White Hart and Nirankari.

Probuild already await the winners, again at Hitchin Town FC, on Thursday, April 17 (7.30pm ko).

In the Premier Division, St Ippolyts shared six goals with Redbourn.

Ricky Mensah equalised an early Redbourn strike with the goal of the game - a strike from just outside the centre circle that flew past the keeper.

Redbourn recaptured the lead and went further ahead before St Ippolyts' task became harder when they were reduced to 10 men when one of their players was dismissed for foul and abusive language.

Down to 10 men, Saints still dominated most of the second half and had numerous chances before substitute Callum Perrie turned and beat his marker to slot the ball past the keeper.

And St Ippolyts were level straight from the kick off as Mensah played a neat one-two before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

St Ippolyts had opportunities to snatch a late winner but they went begging.

In Division One North, Magnum made hard work of scoring six against nine-man Westwell.

Scorers were Daniel Cooper, his first for the club, Pete Morrison, skipper Brett Coverdale, Stuart Hyams, a screamer from Neil Hardy and Ross Pateman's 18th goal of the season.

resULTS

Saturday, March 8

Benevolent Shield, semi-final: Probuild 3 Whitwell Village 1.

Premier Division: Nirankari v Wilbury Wanderers (off, home win was awarded), St Ippolyts 3 Redbourn 3.

Division One North: Westwell 0 Magnum 6.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 15

Greg Cup, semi-final: White Hart v Nirankari.

Premier Division: Clannad Celtic v St Ippolyts, Probuild v New Greens, Whitwell Village v Wilbury Wanderers.

Division One North: Baldock Town A v City Hearts, Kimpton Rovers v Westwell.