Kidlington Royals gained a pulsating 2-1 victory at Premier Division side and former champions Oxford Yellows to reach their first final in the Oxfordshire FA Sam Waters Sunday Cup, writes TIM SIRET.

It has been the long-held desire of Division 1 side Royals to reach the final – and they did so with a depleted line-up following an injury the previous day to their highly-rated player Lewis Coyle.

An uncharacteristic defensive error by the Royals on a slippery pitch gifted their hosts the lead.

Royals goalkeeper Sam Warrell decided he needed to take an extra touch given the difficult playing conditions.

This delay allowed his clearance up field to be charged down and eventually played back across the box to Sean Flaherty, who slotted home with the aid of a slight deflection.

Kidlington responded well and pushed forward searching for an equaliser.

On 31 minutes, Ryan Curtin slammed home a penalty into the top corner after John Mills was felled in the box by Yellows’ goalkeeper Damien Perks.

In the second half, wave after wave of Kidlington attacks were absorbed and then countered by Yellows, who themselves continued to look dangerous on the break.

Kidlington finally made the breakthrough with the winner five minutes from time.

Some neat play in the middle by Curtin and Liam O’Callaghan saw the ball break to Ben Willoughby, who played a pinpoint pass to John Mills.

And he broke free of a tired Oxford defence to slot the ball into an unguarded net to the delight of his Royals teammates.

The other semi-final between Rover Cowley and Highfield Social Club lasted only 55 minutes before the match was abandoned due to bad weather.

The teams will try again this Sunday.