Super Sam seals it for Forest in penalty shootout nail-biter

Now facing a Viennas side in the final who they’ve already played twice in the league, beating them 4-1, but also losing to them 2-0 – the only defeat they suffered in the league this season, Mandel said: “They’re a very defensive side and will take some quality to break them down, but we are better than them and can beat them, we don’t fear anyone in our league.”

Saying the side will take a lot of confidence from beating a Premier Division side, joint-interim manager Nathan Mann said: “Winning this match shows that we can compete in the Premier Division week in week out, it’s a new level but he have the ability to more than compete and will be looking to show that next season.”

Prior to the start of next campaign, there’s still the small matter of Forest finishing this one and ending it by securing a league and cup treble. “We’re not quietly confident of achieving that”, Mann adds: “we’re very confident we can and can let everyone know that. Throughout the season, we’ve competed against Premier Division teams in the various cup competitions, we’ve won the league and are in two finals, so we fancy our chances no matter the opposition.”

Ben Barnett’s penalty ensured Stopinsky took the tie to more penalties, where Zan Isaac Appleson-Fidler, Jamie Nathan, Ben Barnett and Joe Bregman all successfully converted, albeit ultimately in vain.

Feeling his side deserved more from the tie, manager Jacob Brand said: “We definitely deserved to win, but unfortunately didn’t capitalise on our chances or test their goalkeeper enough.”

Rapid Viennas booked their place in the final after they beat Brady Maccabi 3-0. Jamie Steinberg scored a late double, after Jack Miller had fired them ahead in the first half.

Also through to a Cup Final are Geez Park Rangers, as they claimed an impressive 4-2 win at Hendon United in their David Wolff Premier Division Cup semi-final.

Four different names got on the scoresheet for Rangers, with Joe Leslie, Jack Mattey, Mikey Perkins and Jacob Lauder all finding the back of the net. Rangers’ Max Diamond said: “It was a really strong display against a good Hendon side and in the end our attack proved too much for them as we scored three second half goals.

“Joe ran the show for us and was a constant threat all game, we now have a busy May to look forward too.” Chaim Korman and Gav Lewis scored Hendon’s consolation goals.

Rangers’ hectic final month of the season sees them face Stoke Salmon in the final, prior to which they meet Hendon once more in the final of the Super Cup, before crowning off what they hope will be securing a cup treble when they take on Yallatasary in the Peter Morrison Trophy final.