WORSBROUGH Bridge reached the Sheffeld Senior Cup final for the first time in more than 50 years with victory over Barnsley under 21s on Tuesday evening.
The game was goalless after 90 minutes then Bridge won 5-3 on penalties.
Owen Evans saved from Lewis Gould then another Barnsley penalty was put wide before Ousmane Sidibe scored the winning spot-kick.
Worsbrough manager Lee Morris said: “It makes it all worthwhile. All the hours that the volunteers put in behind the scenes. They worked so hard to get the game on. Then the players went out and performed.
“I think they were over 300 fans so it was a good crowd. It’s a shame that Barnsley were at home because I dare say it would have nearly doubled that.
“For us to beat lads who train day in, day out at a professional club is a real credit and a proud day for the club.
“It just shows what talent we have got at the club and they’ve stayed loyal throughout because a lot of clubs from higher leagues are coming in for them.
“We’re not an old team.
“We have Conor Glavin, who is in his 30s, but everybody else is from 18 to 22 predominantly.”
The match had been due to be played on the showcase pitch at Oakwell a week earlier but was moved to Worsbrough apparently due to floodlight issues.
Morris admits the pitch was not in the best condition but believes his side were the better team over the evening.
“I think it suited us being at our ground and that’s a big factor.
“I don’t think those Barnsley lads have quite played at something like that before.
“We should have won in normal time. We came out of the blocks really, really well.
“Everybody says we were the better team in the first half, and that’s my feeling as well. And we probably should have gone in 2-0 if not 3-0 up.
“They had a good spell at the start of the second half then we took control again, and we probably could have scored a couple more.
“We have to be more clinical.
“Barnsley could have scored in the last minute and we cleared one off at line.
“The shoot-out was nerve-wracking but it was a great feeling when we won.”
The date and venue for the final have not been confirmed but it is usually in April or May at one of the professional football grounds in South Yorkshire, often Hillsborough.
The other semi-final is between National League North side Worksop Town and Rossington Main on March 24.
Worsbrough were last in the final in 1973 when they lost to Worksop.
Morris said: “It is more history.
“We have broken records for league wins and points and now we’re in the Sheffield Cup final.
“Hopefully, one day when we actually sit back and we’re retired, it would be a good thing to look back on a couple of record-breaking seasons for the club.
“The final will be a great occasion.
“If it is Worksop, which everybody seems to think it will be, they are at quite a higher level than us.
“But they won’t play anybody like us.
“I think us against Rossington would be a great final.
“But we’ll just enjoy it and give a good account of ourselves.”
Bridge now return to NCEL Division One action, with a vital home game against Leeds UFCA on Saturday.
They are fourth, 16 points off leaders Dearne – who are in the only automatic promotion place – and 11 clear of Leeds UCFA who are just outside the play-offs in sixth.
Worsbrough have ten league games remaining.
Morris said: “We’ve got to take that confidence into the league.
“I think if we can win on Saturday, we’re not far away from getting in the play-offs.
“But that game on that pitch took a lot out of us so we’re going to have to freshen things up for Saturday.
“With the momentum within the squad and the confidence in the squad, we should be looking forward to getting back out on that pitch.”
Barnsley under 21s had won 2-1 at home to Coventry City on Friday.
Feyi Afuape and Gould got the goals.
They are now due to host Crewe this Friday from 1pm before visiting Wigan on Tuesday.
Barnsley under 18s won 4-0 at home to Fleetwood Town on Saturday. Noah Town scored twice while the other scorers were Afuape and Josh Heyes.
They are now due to host Hull City this Saturday from 10.30am.
