IT TOOK extra time for Dewsbury Rangers to ensure a 4-2 win over Golcar United in the Under 11 Cup final.

A torrential downpour halfway through this game failed to dampen the spirits of either team who, despite looking like they had just climbed out of a swimming pool, put on a terrific display for the large crowd.

Having qualified for two cup finals and still in the running for the Division III title, Golcar have had a fantastic season but their search for a first piece of silverware came unstuck at the hands of first division Rangers.

Golcar were first out of the blocks and, after Callum Denton had given them the lead after 15 minutes, they looked well in control.

However, Dewsbury gradually started to make their mark and, by the end of the first half, Bradley Duxbury and the outstanding Callum Kemp were controlling midfield and the ever dangerous Elliot Hinchliffe was causing the United defence all kinds of problems.

With play swinging from end to end, Golcar’s single goal was never going to be enough and, by the time Dewsbury struck an equaliser through Joseph Hirst 10 minutes into the second half, Golcar’s Oliver Russell, Liam Hobson, Kieran Beaumont and Jacob Woods were struggling to keep the threat from Hinchliffe and Aaron Roe at bay.

Dewsbury were now in charge but, although they took the lead with a second strike from Sean Smith just five minutes later, the prospect of defeat rallied the Golcar players and with Armani Greaves, Robbie Turner and Denton began to exploit the spaces that were opening up as Dewsbury began to tire.

There was never any doubt about Anthony Collinson and Theo Morris’ work rate but theintroduction of the fresh legs of Hayden Wilkins gave Golcar a new outlet and the substitute made his mark with just two minutes of normal time remaining when a clumsy challenge sent a United player crashing to the ground and Kemp fired home the resulting penalty.

The end to end football that had kept the supporters on their toes throughout continued as extra time got under way and, even after Dewsbury had taken the lead again in the first period of extra time through Hinchliffe, few would have placed a bet on the outcome.

However, with United now being forced to push players forward for another equaliser, Dewsbury were given the chance to break and a fourth goal from Jamil Sair five minutes before the end finally settled the issue in Dewsbury’s favour.

Golcar will be disappointed as their treble hopes are now gone, but there’s still the prospect of a league title and Huddersfield Minor FA Cup appearance on the horizon.