Young are just one step from a fairy tale premiership after downing Henwood Park 2-1 in a gripping semi-final.
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The Lions had toppled the defending premiers 3-0 in their first encounter of the year but found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-0 belting as the Hawks extracted revenge on their home patch in the July rematch.
Mark Mellish’s men would have the last laugh, however, as Young roared to life when it mattered most – finals football.
The Hawks looked the more dangerous side in the early exchanges with Jake Ploenges heading up a frontal assault.
It took Young almost 30 minutes to seriously threaten Henwood Park’s defence but nobody could’ve predicted Frazer Burns’ miracle goal that broke the game apart.
With the ball at his feet 30 metres out from goal, Burns spotted space behind Hawks goalkeeper Nathan Trinder and lobbed a Hail Mary that had absolutely no right to drop into the net.
Matt Menser got Henwood Park back on track with a 38th minute equaliser that saw the two sides take a deadlock into half time and the veteran forward continued the charge after oranges, forcing three early corners on the shell-shocked Lions.
Young resorted to their trademark defensive scramble and dug their way out before pulling out a set piece match-winner in the 65th minute.
Abdul Arja’s free kick found Calum McCaffery’s head, the lead was retaken and the Lions were grand finalists 25 minutes later.
“It’s the first time the big fella’s got up for a header all year,” Mellish joked after full time.
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