Hallen became only the fourth club from the Bristol area to reach the semi-finals of the Isuzu FA Vase when they beat North West Counties Premier Division side West Disdbury & Chorlton after nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out at Hallen Centre on Saturday.

Following in the footsteps of Almondsbury Greenway, Mangotsfield United and Bitton, the Hellenic League strugglers notched an unlikely victory as they were second-best for the majority of the tie after Lewis Billingsley had given the North West team the lead on 18 minutes.

Jordan Lazenby hit a post with just five minutes remaining, the ball rebounding agonisingly across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick on the opposite side, a moment which would have sealed the win for Didsbury.

But the near miss seemed to galvanise Hallen and a sustained attack on the visitors’ goal in the final stages, which included the presence of goalkeeper Harry Corey=Baker in the opponents penalty area for much of the last few minutes, resulted in a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Syd Camper.

After several missed kicks by both sides, Hallen came out on top 6-5 as the last kick struck the crossbar and scenes of celebration ensued.

Whilst it has to be accepted that ANY of the teams left in the competition at this stage will provide tough opposition, Hallen  have probably been handed the toughest test they could have had in the semi-final draw. They have been paired with AFC Stoneham, the runaway leaders of the Wessex League and favourites to win the Vase. The home leg will be on Saturday 28 March at Hallen Centre, and the second leg at AFC Stoneham on week later.

In the other semi-final Punjab United (Southern Counties East League) will meet  Cockfosters (Spartan South Midlands League) in an all-London affair.