Two young bosses will attempt to cap their first seasons in management by claiming county honours.
Eaton Socon Reserves chief Sammy Argyle and Ramsey Town supremo Lea Jordan have guided their sides into the final of the Hunts Junior Cup, which will take place on April 5 at the Premier Plus Stadium, in St Neots.
The two 31-year-olds oversaw very different successes at the semi-final stage last Saturday.
While Argyle was quick to admit his men had the rub of the green when beating Brampton Reserves 3-1, Ramsey had to see off AFC Stanground Sports Reserves the hard way by playing 70 minutes of a 3-2 triumph with just 10 men.
The Socon side, who play a level higher than their Brampton opponents in the Cambs League, hit the front when Tommy Hall struck from a corner.
Brampton hit back through a classy 25-yard chip from Bryan Noonan, but their goal hero became a villain when sent off in the second half, for collecting a second caution, with the sides still level.
And Socon made the most of their numerical advantage as Ash Howard smashed them back ahead before Sam Ward sealed their passage into the showpiece from the penalty spot after Glen Grimes had been brought down.
“We always knew it would be a tough game,” said Argyle. “Brampton Reserves had taken scalps from our division in earlier rounds.
“We stuck to the task and got the win in a cup tie that could have gone either way. The referee wasn’t brilliant in all honesty and panicked into making a few decisions.
“We scored from a corner that looked a little suspect and Brampton probably should have had a penalty at the end of the first half.
“But there have been plenty of occasions where decisions have gone against us, so I’m not going to complain about getting the rub of the green.
“I’m just happy to be through to the final.”
The success meant Argyle triumphed against his brother, Richard, who is now part of the Brampton Reserves management team.
It also left Eaton Socon Reserves 90 minutes away from winning a trophy they last lifted in 2012.
Ramsey certainly couldn’t claim to have had any decisions go their way in the other semi-final.
They had midfielder Dan Edwards sent off 20 minutes into their success against AFC Stanground Sports Reserves.
The dismissal didn’t stop them easing into a two-goal advantage courtesy of Adam Taylor and Jamie Darlow, but their lead was wiped out in the second half.
However, their two goalscorers combined to clinch victory as Darlow delivered a cross from Taylor to head a late winner.
Manager Jordan said: “We’ve been absolutely flying and the lads deserve the good results they’ve been getting.
“I’ve not experienced a team spirit as good as we have at Ramsey for years – and that is what helped to pull us through last Saturday.
“We have some very good players, but they are also prepared to roll their sleeves up, dig deep and battle for the cause.
“I told the lads at the start of the season that I really want to win the county cup, and they’ve done tremendously to reach the final.”
Ramsey could potentially complete a quadruple of honours this season.
They are still in the Peterborough Football Association’s Challenge Cup and the Peterborough & District League’s Intermediate Shield, and are also strong contenders for the Division Two tittle as they chase a second successive promotion.
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