Ellesmere Rangers book final spot after late strike
Substitute Dan Graham was the hero for Ellesmere Rangers after his late strike fired the club into the Shropshire Premier Cup final.
Graham climbed off the bench to fire home in the 88th minute against Wem in the semi-final at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
It ensured Premier Division Ellesmere advanced to play AFC Bridgnorth in the final, at the expense of their Division One counterparts.
Wem were incensed after feeling they should have played 85 minutes of the tie against 10 men, due to a penalty conceded early on.
Shane Owen was through on goal when he was fouled by Josh Parker, who conceded the spot kick but escaped with only a booking.
Christian Oldham converted the set-piece but Ellesmere were level on 15 minutes, Josh Brown finding the bottom corner from outside of the box.
The Meresiders piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes, which eventually told, but Wem joint boss Will Smithson was enraged by the red card that wasn't.
He said: "Their player should have been sent off, no questions asked. It's a heartbreaking way to lose, but I am proud of the lads.
There's two cup finals to look forward to for Ellesmere's young guns, as a number of their first-teamers will figure in the Staffordshire FA Midweek Floodlit Youth Cup final.
Ellesmere director of football Alan Davis said: "Two trophies in the cabinet would justify what we are trying to do at this club."
