Ben Rhydding 2 Barford Tigers 1

Ben Rhydding clinched their spot in the Now: Pensions Men’s Masters Over 50s Cup final after a last-gasp winning goal against midlands rivals Barford Tigers.

They will now play Harleston Magpies in the club’s first ever National final at Highfield Sports Club, Nottingham, on Sun-day, May 4.

Ben Rhydding have enjoyed an impressive campaign with victories over City of York (12-2), Wakefield (6-0), Doncaster (8-0), and three weeks ago West Wilts (5-0) which involved a 12- hour return trip to Warminster.

Ben Rhydding had been cruelly denied in the Over 40s semi-final by Barford Tigers four years ago, but his time were determined to get their revenge and make the most of home advantage.

However, Ben Rhydding started too tentatively and gifted Barford a sloppy early goal, and were always playing catch up from that point.

Ben Rhydding displayed great patience as a well-drilled Barford Tigers defence held out until the 57th minute when Neil Horsman blasted home the equaliser from a short corner, and the Barford goal was then put under siege as the home side sought the winning goal before it went to the dreaded penalties.

And so the stage was set and yet another short corner was conceded by Barford, and this time the ball rebounded to David Cutter who hammered home the winner with the last touch of the game.