Sporting Armley are through to the final of the Leeds & District FA Cup after beating Old Modernians Reserves 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling game ended 2-2 at full time and 3-3 after extra time.
It was a fantastic result for Jason Lovett's side who never gave up despite missing first team players, injuries and an outfield player in goal for the majority of the game.
With John Moses on holiday and Dennis Spencer also unavailable, Armley had a goalkeeping crisis on their hands for what was the biggest match of the season so far. A last minute signing on match day fixed the goalkeeping problem, but only temporary as he would soon pull out of the game with an injury.
With striker Dean Russell taking up a new job away from Leeds, Sporting were left with only Danny Goulden as a recognised striker. This prompted Lovett to opt for a 4-5-1 formation with the usual back line of Wheeler, King, Moses and Pearson.
In midfield, Gareth Knight and Kevin Bruce took up holding roles in centre midfield, with Bryant Coldwell on the left and Karl Smith on the right. James Lee was given the freedom to roam infront of the midfield to support Goulden at any opportunity.
Armley started brightly and took the lead through an excellent strike from Bryant Coldwell. Danny Goulden whipped in a deep free kick, which was flicked on by Glenn King. It fell to Coldwell who fired an excellent strike past the goalkeeper with a slight deflection on the way in.
Things then started to go wrong for Armley when their new goalkeeper Adam injured his foot and attempted to play on despite barely being able to walk. With no substitute goalkeeper to call upon, Adam tried to shake off his injury but it was clear he wasn't going to last much longer.
Sporting's goalkeeping problems then took another bad turn as Glenn King headed into his own net for the equalising goal. Adam was in a great position behind King to take the ball, but he didn't make the call and King attempted to clear it himself but under pressure nodded it backwards and past his keeper.
Eventually Adam confirmed he couldn't continue and utility man Wayne Howe came on to take his place between the sticks as Sporting made it to half time with the scores still level.
In the second half Howe's inexperience in goal showed as he allowed a floated free kick drift over a crowded penalty box before dropping into the net at the far post. The ball was failed to be headed clear and Howe just stood there and watched it go in.
It was clear that it would be 10 outfield players who would make the difference in this game, and they never gave up or turned on each other as they fought for the equaliser.
With just 10 minutes to go, it was Karl Smith who popped up at the right time to level the scores and take the game to added time.
Wayne Howe has built a reputation of doing the sublime and the ridiculous in equal measure, and in the second half of extra time he showed the perfect example of that.
First, he made an amazing diving save to parry a shot that was flying into the top corner. It won plaudits from his team-mates for keeping his side in the game, but then just minutes later he flapped at a direct free kick and only succeeded in helping it into the net to put Modernians ahead once more.
Again, Sporting rallied together and did not once criticise Howe for his error. They kept on going and in the second half of extra time found another equalising goal to take the game to penalties.
This time it was James Lee who slalomed his way into the penalty area after a through ball from Richard Moses to fire home his 11th and most important goal of the season.
PENALTIES
Captain Kevin Bruce elected to replace Howe in goal for the penalty shootout, and immediately proved his decision to be the right one as he dived to his left and saved the first Modernians spot kick.
James Lee stepped up and calmly placed his spot kick past the keeper to make it 1-0.
Kevin Bruce almost saved the second penalty, but it just squirmed under his body as he dived the correct way. 1-1.
Mark Pearson then stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Modernians scored their next penalty with a perfect spot kick that hit the inside of the side netting to give Bruce no chance at all. 2-2.
Gareth Knight places his spot kick past the keeper for 3-2.
Modernians then fire their fourth spot kick wide and Armley players rush to celebrate before being informed they still need to score their next kick to win the game.
Danny Goulden steps up and fires Armley into the final. 4-2
FINAL
The final will take place on Wednesday 6th April at 7:45pm at Bracken Edge, the home of Leeds Amateurs FC. More details will be announced on the website in due course.
Congratulations to all the Sporting Armley players and staff!
