Northampton GLK were the visitors to Cedars this morning in a hotly anticipated league cup semi final clash. Spartak knew that this was a great chance to reach the final as Northampton are at the bottom of the Division 1 table, but there are no easy matches at this level and Linslade would need to be at the very best to overcome what would no doubt be very determined visitors.

The teams kicked off in sunny conditions and Galaxy were on top in early stages looking dangerous at corners, but Northampton showed they were dangerous on the counter with their pace.

The match became a bit of a stalemate and it took until the 25th minute for the next action of note. Jack J showed great strength in the middle of the park and looped the ball forward. The bouncing ball came into the box but the goalkeeper prevented Blake from getting any decent contact. Then two minutes later a Northampton corner created a hairy moment in the box but the Linslade defence managed to clear.

Just past the half hour Dylan curled a dangerous free kick into the box that was headed over for a corner. Blake was then on hand to flick in the corner just inside the far post to give Spartak the lead.

It was at set pieces that Galaxy were having the most success and from another free kick Jack J headed wide. Very soon after there was a good attack down the right involving Niall and Theo. The ball eventually came through to both Luke and Matthew but good defending prevented both from getting a shot away.

The ref blew to end the first half, a half that Spartak were largely on top but without creating any clear chances. Only Spartak's dominance at corners separated the sides and Northampton will be thinking that their pace could generate some chances in the second half and therefore all was still to play for.

It only took two minutes for the second half to fire into life. There was a fantastic early effort from distance from Northampton that smashed into the crossbar. This was a thunderous shock that Thomas could not get near. Fortunately their striker smashed the rebound well over.

Northampton had really started the second half on the front foot and after 5 minutes they delivered a free kick into the box and had a free header from 6 yards that went over. Spartak were living dangerously with a slender one goal lead.

11 minutes into the second half Northampton were really unlucky. Spartak had started to pass the ball better and in the end Luke's shot came in and it took a cruel deflection to totally wrong foot the keeper and double Galaxy's lead.

With the bit between their teeth Spartak pressed for that third goal that would put the tie to bed. Firstly, Elliot passed down left to Luke who skipped into the box but his shot from a tight angle curled wide. Then Mali showed some great skill in the box but more good defending prevented Owen from getting a shot away at close distance.

The final quarter of the match was a stop start affair with neither team able to generate a sustained period of pressure. Probably the away side edged the closing 10 minutes as they drove forward in search of a goal that would bring them right back in the match. However, the defence held firm and prevented any clear cut opportunities except for a dangerous position for an indirect free kick just outside the box that had be to retaken and eventually was fired wide.

As the match drew to a close Jack R used his pace to drive into the box there was more excellent Northampton defending to thwart the shot.

This was a match where Northampton really upped their game and they were very unlucky to see their effort hit the crossbar and then Spartak's effort take a deflection. If they had gone the other way it would have been a very different second half. However, with a two-goal cushion Galaxy were able to manage proceedings until the ref blew the final whistle.

So, Spartak's season of cup runs continue. This talented team now has a League Cup final and a County Cup semi-final to look forward to. Don't take your eyes off the action!