Runwell Raiders, current leaders of the South-East Essex Sunday League Premier Division, had stand-in goalkeeper Brian Roach to thank for securing a place in the semi-finals of this season's Charity Cup.

For Roach pulled off a stunning last-minute penalty save to see Raiders edge home 4-3 over third-placed CISK in their quarter-final affair.

A towering header from Colin Rex gave Runwell the lead, but Canvey's CISK were in front before the break when a brilliant Pursder volley was added to by Morgan-Jones turning the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box.

Runwell dominated the early second-half exchanges and Roach and Whitney put them 3-2 in front. Then, when Rex scored his second - this time a penalty - a 4-2 advantage looked enough to see Runbwell through.

However, Runwell's sloppy defending allowed Cox to reduce the arrears to 4-3 with eight minutes to go.

Brave CISK battled to take the game into extra-time and looked like having their hopes fulfilled when they were awarded the last-minute spot-kick after the Raiders goalkeeper was guilty of a professional foul.

Referee Ian Hogg sent the stopper off, but Roach took the keeper's jersey and produced a stunning full stretch save, diving to his right to palm away the firmly struck set piece.

Russell Green was the other big Charity hero, scoring all four goals as his Wickbeech side crushed Benfleet 4-1 to gain a semi-final spot.

Back in the League, Hanningfield and Zach Willsher drew 1-1 in the Premier Division with Hearn on target for Hanningfield and Bloomfield equalising.

Point Sports consolidated second place in Division One following a 2-1 away win at Rook Sports. Clayton and Thipthorpe got their goals.

Bottom of the table Enterprise Athletic came from behind to win only their third League match of the season.

Their victims were second from bottom Callback A and Reed got two goals for the winners as they moved just one point behind the losers.

Results

Charity Cup round 3: Runwell Raiders 4 (Whitney, Rex 2, Roach), CISK 3 (Morgan-Jones, Purser, Cox); Wickbeech 4 (Green 4), Benfleet 1 (Goddard).

Premier Division: Hanningfield Ath 1 (Hearn), Zach Willsher 1 (Bloomfield).

Division 1: Enterprise Ath 4 (Grace, Reed 2, Pockett), Callback A 3 (Smith, Phillips, Christmas); Rook Sports 1 (Smith), Point Sports 2 (Clayton, Thipthorpe).

Division 2: Dunamus 0, Gemini Wanderers 1 (Lewis); Sovereign 3 (Poth 3), Callback B 4 (Marks, og).

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.