Shoot-out joy for Bradford Phoenix after dramatic semi-final (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shoot-out joy for Bradford Phoenix after dramatic semi-final

12:44pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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Bradford Phoenix stunned West Riding County FA Sunday Trophy favourites Stanningley Albion in a pulsating semi-final at Woodlesford that saw Phoenix qualify for their first ever cup final.

A goal-line clearance from Phoenix man of the match Chris Mawson kept the scores level at half-time.

The second half saw Phoenix take the lead after a disputed penalty for handball, which Craig Hogan netted.

Stanningley threw everything at Phoenix but last-gasp defending, and occasionally the woodwork, kept them at bay.

Then, in the fifth minute of injury-time, Stanningley were awarded a penalty, which was converted to take the game into extra-time.

Stanningley scored within two minutes of the restart and looked to have the game won until the last minute of the tie, when Ryan Hudson was fouled on the edge of the area. Up stepped 17-year-old Jack Halliday, who struck a superb low shot into the bottom corner of the net to take it to penalties.

Stanningley put the first penalty over and keeper Matt Bailey pushed their second onto the bar.

Danny Tomlinson held his nerve to score the winning penalty and fire Phoenix to their first major final.