The game began evenly, Bimpson's curling cross shot from the left for the visitors being 'tipped' over by Casson after 3 minutes, Harraby replying when Otway’s cross saw Casey control and shoot from 15yds. 'Vics' keeper Jones diving to block and Hammond clearing as Bainbridge looked to cash in on the loose ball.
The game then saw both sides trying to get on top without creating chances until the 17th minute when Blake’s cross from the left saw Otway knock the ball down for Bainbridge to side foot a volley across Jones into the corner of the net to give Harraby the advantage.
The visitors drew level on 28 minutes when a Burrows cross from the left was headed home by their top scorer Davies from 10 yards, his free header looping over Casson into the net.
Although Harraby had the best of the rest of the first half, the closest they came to regaining the lead was when their crisp passing saw Rogers and Earl combine to set up Otway whose 18 yard drive flew wide of the post to leave the tie level at the break.
The second half saw the first 15 minutes pass with no real chances as Poulton closed down the home side quicker before Otway’s downward header bounced inches past the post after James and Earl combined, for Earl to cross to the far post.
As the game entered the last 15 minutes, 'The Vics' took the upper hand, pressing the home side back, Bimpson’s driven free kick from the left being headed clear by Combe at the far post and Casson holding Bimpson’s 20 yd. drive after the ball came back to him on 76 minutes, Substitute Chambers saw his low 25 yarder fly just past the post through a crowd of bodies and Clare’s curling effort from the angle of the box going over the far angle of post and bar on 85 minutes, although Harraby nearly clinched the game on 88 minutes, when Combe's deep cross from the right saw Bainbridge’s looping header clear Jones, but the keeper dived back to claim the ball at full stretch on the line.
Extra-time saw Poulton start well, Casson saving from Davies, Burrows and a superb save in the top corner to push Clare’s 15 yard drive over in the first 8 minutes., Harraby coming closest in the 102 minute when Bainbridge battled to win the ball near the by-line, outfox a defender and drive a cross that Otway could only get a touch to, taking the ball away from Rogers, unmarked at the far post.
The second period of extra-time saw two tired teams struggling to create threats, Clare shooting straight at Casson after being played in by Davies, Casey hitting a low 25 yarder wide, before, with 2 minutes to go and the spectators expecting a penalty shoot-out in the gathering gloom, Davies, a thorn in the home sides defence all afternoon, headed a long clearance on to Burrows who hit a first time shot from the left corner of the box low past Casson to seal the win.
Plaudits have to be given to both sides, the Match Officials, all concerned at Gillford Park who provided a great day and the County Officials of both sides after a game played in a great spirit that was a credit to football.
TEAMS:
Harraby Catholic Club FC
Casson, James, K Blake, Combe, Coulthard, Swift, Rogers, Earl, Otway, Bainbridge, Casey. Subs: Routledge, James, E Holliday, Lamonby, Milburn.
Poulton Victoria FC
Jones, Ashurst, Hammond, Thompson, Huyton, Dures, Hughes, Bimpson, Davies, Foster, Burrows. Subs: Byrne, Clare, Black, Owen, Chambers.