SUPER sub Paul Paynter fired Kirkham & Wesham into their first final of the season at Kellamergh Park last night with a goal in extra-time to sink opponents Ashton Athletic, who were within eight minutes of a place in the
April final themselves.
Paynter, the ex-Arsenal Youth star, who has been domiciled mainly to the bench since his arrival at the club just prior to Christmas, struck with a close range drive in what was a poor 90 minutes from the home side.
Boss Mick Fuller said later: "There really was only one side who wanted to win it in extra-time and that was us.
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"We were poor in normal time but the lads proved to me tonight that they could bounce back after Saturday's defeat.
"To get to a final is all about determination and we had plenty of that tonight.
"We could have done without extra-time, what with Vase game coming up here on Saturday but the win was tremendous for us.
"I'm delighted."
Kirkham struck first on a cold night on the Fylde when striker Mark Wane nipped in at the far post to nod in the opening goal from a tantalizing Ged Smith free-kick after 17 minutes.
But when the visitors equalised on half-time with a deflected goal by Steve Bennett, Ashton were given the precious away goal they had been looking for, after the first-leg at Ashton three weeks ago had been ended 0-0.
But Kirkham keeper Pete Summerfield denied Ashton overall victory in the dying seconds of normal time when he threw himself at the feet of Ashton's Paul McVeigh when the visitors striker was about to hammer in the final nail into the Kirkham coffin.
That save seemed to inspire the home side, who in extra-time kicked into overdrive to turn the game on its head.
And 30 seconds into final 30 minutes Kirkham skipper Dougie Shaw had the ball in the Ashton net only to be ruled offside.
It looked a marginal decision to say the least, while at the other end Ashton sub Dave Sherlock had a golden opportunity to win it for the Wigan
side too after 104 minutes when he shot high and wide when it looked easier to score.
Then came Paynter's match winner eight minutes from time, following a Mike Clark corner the ball was half cleared out to James Sheppard, who fired the ball back into the danger area and there was Paynter to rifle his shot home
and send Kirkham into their first final of the season.
Kirkham will now play either Bootle or Chadderton in the final at Trafford in Manchester on Thursday April 24.
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