Osmotherley Rangers 1 West Tanfield 2 (aet)

DIVISION Three leaders West Tanfield continued their remarkable season as they came from behind to reach the final of the Scorpion Cup with victory at Osmotherley Rangers last Sunday.

Tanfield, who came into the tie unbeaten in 90 minutes all season, have a terrific record in this competition, having won the trophy in 2010 and reached the semi-finals in each of the past two seasons.

It looked as though it might be a case of three semi-final defeats in a row however, when Robbie Nelmes headed Rangers into an early lead, but a brace from Duncan Terry eventually saw Tanfield through after 120 minutes of full-blooded cup action.

It was difficult to believe that there was a 20-point difference between the sides in the league as there was nothing to separate them for much of the contest. Rangers, who began the day as underdogs, started well and were in front inside ten minutes. Matty Ranson whipped in a cross and Nelmes arrived to fire in powerful header past goalkeeper Ben Richmond.

That proved to be Richmond’s last meaningful contribution however, as he was injured shortly afterwards and had to be replaced in goal by Allan Burton.

Despite this disruption to their side, Tanfield were able to get back on level terms after half an hour when Terry beat Rangers goalkeeper Hayden Bowman with a fine strike from 20 yards.

But the tie turned on a controversial incident just before the break. Referee Mark De Cosemo spotted a handball offence by Jamie King and awarded Rangers a penalty.

Ritchie Thompson duly dispatched the kick past Burton but De Cosemo ordered a retake for encroachment and Thompson’s second effort came back off the woodwork.

That proved to be the turning point as Tanfield gradually began to get on top in the second half. They had chances to win it in normal time, with Martin Mason and Chris Metcalfe both denied by Bowman, but Rangers held on to take it in to extra time.

In fact, the hosts might have grabbed the lead for a second time soon after the resumption when Burton did well to keep out an angled drive from Thompson, while at the other end, Mason, who was now looking the most likely, was twice denied by Bowman again.

The second extra period saw both sides visibly tire and it appeared the tie was heading towards a penalty shootout when Tanfield grabbed a dramatic winner. There were just five minutes remaining when Terry beat his man with a neat turn on edge of the penalty area before firing a low drive past Bowman to send Tanfield through to face Golden Lion in April’s final at Northallerton.