Oxford City 1 Witney Town 0. Full report on last night's Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final clash by Russell Smith

Tate Hulbert's second-half strike was enough to sink his old club Witney Town and give holders Oxford City victory in a scrappy Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final at Thame United last night.

Hulbert, who joined City from Witney last summer, broke the stalemate in the 64th minute when he slammed the ball into an empty net from six yards after Dwaine Strong's low cross had slipped out of Kevin Alder's grasp.

It put City into the final at the Manor Ground on Wednesday, May 3 when they will meet the winners of Ardley United and Thame United, who do battle at Court Place Farm tomorrow.

Much of the pre-match focus was on ex-Witney boss Andy Lyne as he took up his new position as City's assistant manager for the first time.

But as Lyne kept a low profile, it was the side he had built and new Town manager Gerry Pearson has inherited who looked the better outfit in the first half. The classy Simon Abercrombie curled a free-kick inches wide before the Witney midfielder was involved in a touchline bust-up with the fiery Strong which earned both of them a yellow card.

City had a great chance to take the lead when Hulbert burst through with Witney caught at the back, but he rather ballooned his cross to the far post and Strong fired tamely into the side-netting.

Abercrombie then almost caught out Alan Foster with an audacious chip from 35 yards, and Justin Merritt volleyed another chance just wide.

Witney opened the second half brightly and Jamie Waters came within inches of getting a touch to Geoff Neville's cross. Stewart Mc Cleary was then clean through for City, but shot hurriedly and Alder was able to block.

Foster was forced to turn Gary Murphy's 25-yard skidding drive round a post before Hulbert opened the scoring.

With Witney lacking punch up front, it was a lead which was never threatened.

And as the game finished in farcical fashion with numerous delays while several new balls were found, it was City who should have wrapped up victory with Strong heading over from two yards with the goal at his mercy.