Gadeside Rangers Reserves booked their place in the final of the Tony Ansell Challenge Plate coming from two goals down to win in a dramatic extra time period in what can only be described as one of the most entertaining and climactic games of football ever witnessed by the 60 or so spectators who braved the cold and wet conditions.

Gadeside started poorly with MK Ginder well on top and it was no surprise when they went ahead on 11 minutes when good link up play saw Jack Pow hit an inch perfect low drive into the far corner. Gadeside briefly threatened with Michael Kayembe and Toby Zhou looking dangerous in attack and it was the latter who tested the keeper with a low drive from the edge of the box. But it was still Ginder who looked more likely to score with Gadeside's midfield non-existant and the defence all at sea. The second goal arrived on 28 minutes in alomst identical fashion to the first. Pow was allowed a free run through the middle and his shot skidded off the surface and beat Rob Metcalf in the Gadeside goal. Gadeside introduced Jo Bennett at the back to help shore up the porous Gadeside defence and he was to have a fine game.

With half-time approaching Gadeside were given a lifeline when Toby Zhou burst into the penalty area but was tripped from behind leaving referee Reeder no option but to give the penalty. Michael Kayembe confidently stepped up to convert the penalty and bring Gadeside back into the game at the break. In truth, the scoreline did not reflect the balance of the first half but Gadeside's half time team talk revolved around the fact they hadn't got going and were only a goal down. The second half was end to end stuff with Gadeside finally getting a grip on the game without really creating many clear cut chances. The visitors introduced their first team striker Aidan O'Mara and it was he who went closest for Ginder with a sweeping effort which Rob Metcalf did well to cling to. With the game entering its final stages Gadeside began to push their opponents back and Matt Day's daisycutting volley hit the outside of the post before Fionntan Murphy scored a rare goal as he beautifully curled an effort into the top corner to send the Gadeside contingent into raptures (Yes, the Adam Snell incident!). Ginder had the ball in the back of the net in the final minutes but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside as O'Mara had used his hand to score.

So into extra time with both sides starting to feel the effects of the heavy pitch. Both sides should have been awarded penalties as O'Mara was felled by Metcalf after Paul Bangs' backpass held up in a puddle while Toby Zhou was again chopped down as he advanced on goal but neither were given. The second half of extra time was pulsating stuff as Gadeside were awarded a second penalty when a defender clattered into Toby Zhou and Michael Kayembe cooly slotted away his second penalty of the game to put Gadeside ahead for the first time in the game. Ginder threw everything forward in the final seconds and Gadeside looked like they were going to hold out until Fionntan Murphy brought down Stratford and the penalty was given. With one final twist, Rob Metcalf saved the ball with his trailing foot and it agonisingly looped up onto the bar and over. The resulting corner was cleared and the referee brought the game to an end much to the delight of the Gadeside players and supporters.

This was a truly breathtaking game and one that was still in the mind for a long time. Gadeside went on to beat Everett Rovers in the final, Michael Kayembe scoring the only goal in a very tight game.