Bourne Town beat AFC Mansfield in the United Counties League Premier Division North play-off semi-final

Bourne Town produced a performance befitting the occasion as they stormed into the United Counties League Premier Division North play-off final with an emphatic victory on Saturday.

The Wakes ran out 4-0 home winners in their semi-final showdown with AFC Mansfield in front of a crowd of more than 800 at the JJ Mac Stadium.

Tom Siddons scored twice in the opening period before further goals followed after the break from Zac Allen and Jack Wilson to set up a home final against Boston Town next weekend.

Manager Michael Goode was full of praise for his charges who took control of the contest after a strong start to the game.

He said: "We played really well.

"It was one of our best performances of the season and we got everything right.

"We said beforehand that we had to set the tempo because we were the home side playing in front of a big crowd.

"The start was important and it had to be fast and I felt then that we just took over.

"We played some good football but also got men behind the ball when we came under the cosh.

"We've got a great set of players and those who have been good recently suddenly stepped up and became very good."

Bourne had gone close in the opening minutes as Aaron Eyett picked out the head of Siddons with a cross but he put his effort just over the crossbar.

However, it only took until the seventh minute for Bourne to break the deadlock as Henry Dunn found Siddons after a strong run and the former Stamford striker drilled home a sweet strike to put the Wakes ahead.

Siddons came close to adding a second shortly after following a great run from Allen but Mansfield goalkeeper Josh Turton produced a magnificent save at point blank range.

Shaun Archer tested Turton with an effort from distance before Bourne doubled their advantage in the 34th minute from the penalty spot.

Allen was brought down after a mazy run at the Mansfield defence and Siddons stepped up to score with aplomb from the resultant spot kick.

It was the striker's first start since being forced off injured in the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and his selection paid dividends for boss Goode.

The Bourne manager added: "We made the right decisions in terms of selection and the players who came on made a massive contribution as well.

"Sidds occupied both of their centre-halves which created room for others. He did it really well and his movement in and around the box was good.

"We told him to just shoot if he got half-a-yard in the penalty area and he did for the first goal and there was pressure on the penalty for the second one.

"To leave anyone out is always a tough call and people will always ask questions. If you don't win the game, more questions will be asked but we've gone and won 4-0."

Mansfield's best chance of the opening half fell to Kaylum Mitchell when he intercepted a wayward pass but home goalkeeper Dan Swan made a smart block.

Allen then glanced a header just wide from a Siddons cross as Bourne took a two-goal lead into the half-time break.

Ryan Ingram shot over for the Bulls early in the second half when he was picked out from a set piece before Dunn was denied at the other end at close range by Turton.

A superb save from Swan to claw away a goalbound header from Mitchell prevented Mansfield from halving the deficit at a crucial stage of the game as Bourne added their third goal shortly after.

Substitute Zak Munton was hauled down as he prepared to shoot and, with Siddons having been replaced, Allen this time confidently converted the spot kick.

The goal and decision to award the penalty - which put the contest beyond their visitors - saw Mansfield lose their composure.

Ingram was sin-binned for dissent with Mansfield manager Phil Buxton also being dismissed from the dug-out.

That was shortly followed by Harley Kozluk being sent off for a rash challenge on Eyett which also saw Kacper Rajter sin-binned for his protests at the decision.

It left the Bulls with eight men for the final stages with Munton and James Hill-Seekings both going close to increasing the lead.

Bourne then added their fourth goal deep into stoppage time as Wilson finished in style at the back post with a diving header from Archer's cross.

It capped a fine performance from Bourne who will now to repeat that feat next weekend when they host a Boston Town side who won 2-1 in their semi-final at Eastwood CFC.

Manager Goode commented: "I think we drove Mansfield to lose their discipline because they couldn't get anything out of us.

"It was why they resorted to what they did and, once the space opened up, we were really in control for the last 15 minutes.

"Swanny did make a great save at 2-0 but we defended the set pieces well and looked good on the counter.

"The midfield three dominated but most importantly we kept our heads and our discipline when those around us were losing theirs.

"It was a great performance and it's brilliant to have another home game next Saturday. I'm just delighted for everyone in Bourne that we've got that home game."