UCLan men’s firsts reached the semi-finals of the BUSA Plate last Wednesday after Dale Roberts’ extra time winner clinched a 2-1 victory over York firsts.

An enthralling encounter at Preston Sports Arena saw the home side hit the woodwork twice in a match that was played at a high tempo from start to finish, with tackles flying in left, right and centre.

UCLan came close to breaking the deadlock after half an hour when Craig Knowles was found unmarked at the back post, but the striker’s header was saved.

Andrew Tinker then beat two players and unleashed a fierce left footed strike which was heading in the top corner, but a great stop from York’s keeper kept the winger out.

The visitors had a spell of pressure just before half time, and would’ve taken the lead if it wasn’t for Adam Shillcock’s brilliant header off the line.

Despite being the better side in the second half, UCLan fell behind after York’s Dominic O’Shea headed home with 15 minutes to go.

They refused to give up however, and five minutes later a superb pass from Caldon Henson found substitute Paul Roberts, who kept his cool to finish and put UCLan back on level terms.

Andrew Tinker’s effort nearly won it for the hosts late on, but it went narrowly over.

As extra time began, UCLan piled on the pressure.  Chris McCarthy had a great chance, only for his left-foot shot to be denied by a brilliant save.

In the second half of extra time substitute Craig Wood came agonisingly close with a header that hit the bar.  Wood had another chance to finish the game shortly after, when Henson’s shot was spilled by the York keeper, but the forward fired the rebound wide.

UCLan had a series of late corners, one of which resulted in them hitting the post.  A penalty shootout was looking increasingly likely.

However, their persistence eventually paid off with two minutes to go.  The ball fell to substitute Dale Roberts ten yards out, who smashed it into the top corner, sending UCLan into the semi-finals.

There were scenes of joy as members of the coaching staff, substitutes, players from the seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths teams, and supporters all ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the match winner.

Roberts said: “I thought it was going to penalties but I always felt we could nick a winner.”

Captain Rob Unsworth said: “We didn’t play too well in the first half but we got it together second half and battled away. It didn’t look like it was going to come for us when we started hitting the bar and the post but we got there in the end.