‘Rec deserve final chance’ – Romeril

That is the view of their coach Mark Romeril after the weekend’s semi-finals in which his side knocked out Grand Fort Road neighbours Northerners via a penalty shoot-out while Priaulx League leaders Rovers saw off Sylvans 3-1.

History, though, may be in Rec’s favour, as the last time they lifted the trophy was after beating Rovers, who have never won the Stranger, in the final, and Saturday shows that Vale relish being the underdogs.

‘It is going to be an extremely tough game – they are the best team on the island,’ Romeril said.

‘North was very difficult too, though, and we managed to get past them so we are all looking forward to playing in that final.

‘I do not think that the Stranger Cup group game we played against them will have much bearing on the final – going from KGV to BPL is about as different as it gets, so both teams will likely be setting up in a very different way.

‘There is also a lot more on the line for both sides,’ he added, referencing the 2-1 defeat his side suffered at Rovers’ hands in the group stage.

Rec had to come from behind twice against their neighbours at Northfield to take the game to extra-time and penalties.

Kyle Smith’s opener was equalised by Piers Ockleford before Smith’s second from the penalty spot was cancelled out by Danny Ozanne.

There were no further goals in the extra half-an-hour and Vale won the shoot-out 4-2.

‘It was a massively committed effort from both sets of teams – everyone was up for the battle on a pitch that did not really enable anyone to be able to play football, and we are delighted to have come through and got the win,’ said Romeril.

‘We want to get used to playing in semi-finals and finals.

‘It is hard to win things with the likes of Rovers, Saints and North around so it is great for us to now have that real chance of getting some silverware. It has been a while since Rec played in a final and the lads really deserve it.

‘In extra-time I think we were the stronger team and just had a bit more left in us, but as we know, a shoot-out is always a lottery and we were just very happy to be on the right side of it.’

Rovers maintained their 100% record in this season’s competition with a 3-1 win over the Westerners thanks to a brace from Fin Whitmore and a Blair Howitt goal.

The final will be at Blanche Pierre Lane on Wednesday 1 March.

Before then, though, the two sides meet in the league this coming weekend at Corbet Field.