Sharrow United opened 2008 with a seven-goal thriller to claim a place in the Meadowhall Sheffield and District Sunday League semi-finals following a 4-3 away win at HSBC.
Sharrow had burst into the last eight with a stunning 7-0 away win at Premier League side Royal Earl, but found themselves 2-1 down at half-time against Division One leaders HSBC, their goal coming from Ifty Afzal. However Oday Ibrahim, returning from a two month injury break, equalised with a stunning strike soon after the break , and a second goal from Afzal and a Beckhamesque free-kick curler from man-of-the-match Mohamed Khan gave Sharrow a 4-2 lead.
HSBC pulled a goal back to set up a nailbiting finale in which goalie Stuart Rogers pulled off a string of matchwinning saves, but Sharrow held on for a deserved win. They now await the semi-final draw, with the prize a final at Bramall Lane.
Meanwhile the African Dream Team made it a magnificent ten straight victories with a table-topping six-pointer, 3-2 against Hallcar Tavern, including two from Jama Elmi.