A late Stephen Whitley header saw Corinthians knock holders St George’s out of the Friends Provident International FA Cup at Ballafletcher on Saturday.

The Whites will now play Peel in next Saturday’s final after the westerners triumphed 1-0 over St John’s in the competition’s other semi-final.

Sean Doyle had given Corinthians a 12th-minute lead only for Chris Bass Jr to level things up eight minutes later.

The game opened up in the second half, but just as extra time loomed Whitley nodded in at a corner to hand his side the advantage late on.

There was further drama to come when Geordies thought they had equalised in stoppage time, only for Johnny Myers’s header to be ruled out by assistant referee Tommy Crowe for a push. The Whites held firm for the remaining few minutes to secure their first FA Cup final spot since the 2001-02 season.

The other last-four tie was an equally cagey affair, a second-half penalty from Lee Gale ultimately settling it in Peel’s favour.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and went close through Shaun Kelly’s curling free-kick which cannoned off the post.

Gradually though, Rick Holden’s Saints grew into the contest and went close with a couple of Rhys Oates free-kicks.

A raft of bookings and numerous fouls disrupted the flow of the game before two players were sent off early in the second half, Daniel Lace and Johnny Holland each picking up their second yellow cards for Peel and St John’s respectively.

There was very little to choose between the sides but eventually the deadlock was broken with 16 minutes remaining when the hosts won a penalty which Gale powered home.

The Saints searched for a way back into to the game but Peel held firm to book their place in the final.

It was also semi-final day in the GH Corlett Woods Cup. Pulrose eased into Good Friday’s final 6-1 at the expense of hosts Douglas and District, while in the other semi in-form Marown edged out Castletown 1-0 in Crosby thanks to Adam Mealin’s 75th minute goal. On target for Pully were Barry English (3), Jamie Skillen and Marc Priestnal (2). Simon Taylor scored for D and D.

In the Canada Life Premier League, St Mary’s hot shot Steven Priestnal became only the second player to net more than 300 goals in the Premier League era when he bagged four goals in the Saints 7-2 win over second-bottom Braddan.

Elsewhere, Josh Kelly scored six goals as Rushen United overcame Laxey 6-2, while Douglas Athletic hammered Douglas Royal 7-1.

Royal’s fellow strugglers Ramsey also lost, going down 2-1 to goals from Gary Quirk and Dean France at Old Boys.

In JCK Division Two, Foxdale dropped points in the promotion race as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Union Mills.

Onchan move top after they beat RYCOB 1-0 thanks to Chris Asbridge’s goal.

The second tier’s other game between Gymns and Michael United ended in a 2-2 draw.

Saturday, March 24

Friends Provident FA Cup semi-finals

Corinthians 2-1 St George’s

Peel 1-0 St John’s

GH Corlett Woods Cup semi-finals

Douglas and District 1-6 Pulrose United

Marown 1-0 Castletown

Canada Life Premier League

DHSOB 2-1 Ramsey

Rushen Utd 6-2 Laxey

Douglas Royal 1-7 Douglas Athletic

St Mary’s 7-2 Braddan

JCK Division Two

Foxdale 1-1 Union Mills

Onchan 1-0 RYCOB

Gymns 2-2 Michael Utd

Canada Life Combination One

Ramsey P-P DHSOB

Douglas Athletic 4-1 Corinthians

St George’s P-P StMary’s

Braddan 5-3 Colby

JCK Combination Two

Malew 8-2 Castletown

RYCOB 4-1 Onchan

Union Mills 1-3 Foxdale

Ayre Utd 3-5 Marown

Governor’s Athletic 3-1 Michael Utd