IT took penalty kicks to eventually separate St Paul’s from Jersey Wanderers in a superb U18 Tregear Cup semi-final at Les Quenevais last night.

It was a night when footballing spirit triumphed over terrible conditions, with both coaches enthusing over the commitment, skill and sheer guts of the players.

‘Wanderers were tremendous – this was a game worthy of a cup final,’ said St Paul’s Charlie Browne.

‘This was an outstanding cup-tie, and we played very well,’ echoed Wanderers’ Daryn Noble.

One-all after normal time, and 2-2 at the close of the extra period, Saints – who twice scored late equalisers – triumphed 3-1 on penalties.

Their reward is a Springfield final against St John – and if it’s half as good as this one that should be a cracker! St Paul’s, with the wind behind them, set the pace for the evening, but it was Wanderers who took a 20th-minute lead when Scott Slicer scored at the far post from Danny Flynn’s cross following a breakaway.

Both goalkeepers put on outstanding performances, Matt Brookland for Saints and Greg Forster for Wanderers, and it was not until the closing minutes of normal time that St Paul’s drew level when their midfield ‘General’ Callum Black scored from close range.

Into extra time Wanderers were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Dane Sutton for two yellows, though this physical encounter was never a dirty game, with the slippery conditions playing a big part in a flurry of cards.

Wanderers put their one-man disadvantage aside to take the lead with the goal of the night, a screaming 25-yarder giving the impressive Slicer his second.

But Wanderers were denied again in the dying minutes when striker Craig Russell scored in a crowded, confused goalmouth.

Wanderers, further hit by a leg injury to midfielder Elliot Fernandes, which required X-rays at the General Hospital, took the lead for a third time when Flynn converted the first of the penalty kicks.

It was their only success, however, and scores from Black, Russell and Keiran Norman sealed the victory for St Paul’s.

‘It’s always a lottery when it goes to penalties,’ said St Paul’s president Browne.

‘Both teams really went for it and I really feel for the Wanderers lads and their managers – no one deserved to lose after a match like that.’