Rec edge nine-goal thriller

Vale Rec 5, Rangers 4 (AET)

ANOTHER extraordinary Stranger Cup semi-final last night resulted in Vale Rec setting up a mouth-watering Grand Fort Road derby final on 30 December.

Rec are synonymous with this competition and, even when they fell 4-2 behind after an hour at the Corbet Field yesterday, it seemed as if there were to be more twists in the tale.

And so it proved with Karl Bisson grabbing his second to narrow the gap before Rob Wakeham's stunning 25-yard strike - which was still rising as it hit the roof of the net with 12 minutes remaining - took the game into extra-time.

During the first half of the added 30 minutes, James Coquelin scored the decisive goal in an epic thriller.

'It is brilliant for the club to be in the final,' said Vale coach Johnny Reid (pictured), who admitted he might need some tablets for his heart after this rollercoaster ride.

'The boys really showed what they are made of tonight. They all worked together well and came together well, especially after going 4-2 down.'