Dramatic scenes played out in front of a bumper crowd at New Ferry Park last week, as the semi-final of the Wirral District FA Premier Cup semi-final went all the way to penalties.

A titanic clash between Division Three Champions New Ferry Rangers and Division One Champions Rivacre FC went the distance, but the drama arrived before spot-kicks were taken.

A huge crowd saw New Ferry Rangers face Rivacre FC in the Premier Cup semi-final. Last minute equaliser sparked wild scenes. Photos: Phil Bryan

A huge crowd saw New Ferry Rangers face Rivacre FC in the Premier Cup semi-final. Photo: Phil Bryan

Ellesmere Port side Rivacre had been reduced to 10 men, but thanks to goals from Joe Foster (2) and Joe Brandon, the visitors took a 3-2 lead with only 10 minutes remaining.

However, with time almost up, Rangers threw everyone up front - including the goalkeeper - for one final dead ball into the box, which was headed across the six yard box and nodded home at the far post for 3-3, prompting scenes of pandemonium as euphoric supporters raced onto the pitch.

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New Ferry's last-gasp equaliser sparked wild scenes. Photo: Phil Bryan

With the match taken to spot-kicks, both teams converted their first six penalties then both missed their seventh.

With nerves shredded in sudden death, New Ferry coolly slotted home penalty number eight and with all the pressure on Rivacre, their penalty was blasted over the bar. Within seconds, the pitch at New Ferry Park was filled with throngs of jubilant spectators in remarkable scenes rarely witnessed in amateur football.

Rangers won the tie on penalties

Rangers won the tie on penalties. Photo: Phil Bryan

Rangers will now face founding league members Queens Park, who have won this cup no less than 13 times and have won a trophy of some kind every year since their last blank in the 2004/05 season.

A Levi Chiduka double was enough for the Queens men to see off a very organised side in fellow Premier Division rivals Beechwood FC.

The WDFA Premier Cup final will take place on Sunday, June 20 at Villa Park, Cross Lane - the Wallasey home of Ashville Football Club - with an 11am kick-off. Another huge crowd is expected.

Elsewhere, Adam Ledgerton bagged a four-goal haul for Upton Town in a superb 5-0 demolition of Poulton Vics.

He was supported by a Brendan Doherty effort and will meet fellow Division Two rivals Belmont FC in the Sunday Amateur Cup Final after they beat a strong Jasga FC from the Wallasey and District Sunday Football League - who have just won their First Division Championship with only one defeat.

The match finished all square at 0-0 but Belmont won 4-2 on penalties. The final will also be at Villa Park on Tuesday, June 22 with a 6.30pm kick off.

Onto Sunday action and it was that young man Jack Kelly yet again on the mark for New Ferry Rangers who bagged another fine hat-trick to take his tally to around 56 goals just in league games. Rangers lifted the Eric Wharton Trophy (third division championship) after their 3-2 win over Oval FC.

Youngster Kelly is now attempting to equal or beat old stalwart Peter ‘Polly’ Fearon’s record of 60 goals in one season - a league record that has stood for exactly 40 years since the 1980/81 season.

Jack is scheduled to play his final game of the season in the WDFA Premier Cup final a day before his 18th Birthday. What a celebration that could be.

New Ferry Rangers and Jack have still have three league games to play and could well smash the record.

Victoria Colts, who have secured the final promotion place, earned maximum points with a 6-5 win over AFC Raeburn. Colts are now aiming for a runners up medal with two games to go before they play their Wirral District FA Sunday Junior Cup final on Thursday June 24 at Ashville Football Club with a 6.30pm kick off.

Wirral Athletic earned a creditable 4-4 draw with a strong Silva Athletic and a Peter McNulty brace was not enough for Rangers breaks as they dipped 4-2 to Glenavon Athletic.

Only one game took place in the Premier Division between two old foes. Queens Park taking the honours 5-2, who had Mike Burkey and Ben Holmes notching a brace each supplemented by a Harvey Sample strike at Rock Ferry Social. 

That was the battle for the runners up spot with Queens now having a three point advantage with only one game to play. 

Dock AFC won the Premier Division Title without having to play and will receive The Ryan ‘Gigsy’ Atherton Trophy on Sunday, June 13 after their final game of the season.

Division One Champions Rivacre FC finished off their season in fine style with a high scoring game against early season promotion hopefuls Lions FC.

AFC Shaftes, who had an indifferent start to the season, registered a fine 6-1 successful win in their penultimate game with FC Tranmere.

Fresh from their midweek heroics in The Wirral District Football Association Sunday Amateur Cup semi final, Upton Town recorded a tremendous 6-2 result at Barkers FC  and are hoping to clinch the final promotion spot in Division Two.

It's a real tussle for that third spot as Bromborough Rake (Kieran Hughes 2, Dom Crossley) dented Neston United’s (Ben Pearson, Chris Bushell) hopes by posting a 3-2 result. 

It was game in which Neston so desperately needed the points. They have now finished their league programme and must wait to see if Upton Town can sneak in. 

Barcode FC eclipsed mid-table battlers Eagle Stirrup FC 4-0 with a surprising win. Bagging the goals with the all important strikes were Keenan Mason, Jamie Isaac, Luke Male and Alex Tucker.