Town were once again without their top scorer Jack Baxter but welcomed the return of Lewis Burchnall who took up the target man role in attack, with Sam Johnson and Luke Blondel playing either side of him.

Town started the game well and with a centre back pairing of James Blondel and Alec Enderby, looked well organised in defence, snubbing out any opportunity Monos tried to create.

30 minutes in and Town were awarded a penalty when Lewis Burchnall was taken down as he was about to have a strike on goal. Luke Blondel stepped up and smashed home the spot kick to give Town the lead. Sam Johnson was unlucky 5 minutes later when Sam Johnson got onto a through ball, but was denied by the onrushing ‘keeper.

But it wasn’t long until Town doubled the advantage, when Lewis Burchnall held the ball up and then played Johnson in on goal who took the chance early and stroked the ball past the ‘keeper from 25 yards out to give Town a 2-0 lead going into half time.

It was a slow start to the second half by Town who found themselves penned in their own half for 10 minutes but managed to ride the storm without conceding.

Town responded well and extended their lead when Lee Wilson’s curled corner was headed in by captain Scott Maplethorpe who rose above the rest to direct the back into the back of the net.

It was all going so well for the visitors, but with 20 minutes of the game remaining but a stray pass from substitute Bullivant lead to Lewis choosing to play the ball back to his keeper from just inside his own half. Under no pressure goalkeeper Liam Smith failed to control the ball and saw it run past him into the back of the net giving the hosts a lifeline.

However, the Town number one redeemed himself well just 5 minutes later when he rushed to the edge of his box to block the Monos striker’s lobbed effort to keep the scoreline to 3-1.

Both teams had chances in the final 10 minutes of the game but the two defences stood strong and the full time whistle blew to see Horncastle secure a place in the final with a 3-1 victory.

Town will now play Saxilby Athletic in the final of Horace Franklin Cup. Kick off is 2:30pm at Ashby Avenue, Lincoln.

Smith, Bodily, J.Blondel, Enderby, Lewis, Lamming, Wilson (Bullivant), Maplethorpe, L.Blondel, Johnson, Burchnall.