Full Time: Dinnington Town 7-5 Stapenhill (AET)

Updated: Mar 27

Dinnington Town secured their place in the final of the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup following a dramatic and captivating encounter with Stapenhill at the Blackout13.com Arena, prevailing in a contest that showcased both attacking quality and resilience in equal measure.

The visitors made a sharp start and looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, applying early pressure and testing Dinnington Town’s organisation. However, as the half developed, Dinnington Town grew into the contest, establishing greater control in possession and beginning to dictate the tempo.

Despite that shift, it was Stapenhill who took the lead on 35 minutes, as Louis Briscoe demonstrated his experience to put the visitors 0–1 ahead. The ex-pro, with some 348 appearances, showed his quality with a calm finish.

The goal arguably came against the run of play and briefly halted Dinnington Town’s momentum.

The response from the hosts was immediate and composed. Sam Eckhardt, who was influential in linking play throughout the half, brought Dinnington Town level on 42 minutes, making it 1–1 and ensuring their dominance was reflected on the scoreline heading into the break. His sublime effort from just inside the box saw the ball perfectly guided into the top corner of the net.

Dinnington Town emerged for the second half with intent, continuing to press forward and pin Stapenhill back, although the visitors remained a threat on the counter.

That sustained pressure paid off on 60 minutes when Josh Stead gave Dinnington Town a 2–1 lead, capping a strong attacking spell and rewarding the side’s control of the game. His cross-come-shot once again sailed into the top corner.

The tie continued to swing, and on 69 minutes Stapenhill were awarded a penalty, which Joe Worth converted to bring the score back to 2–2.

The visitors then seized the initiative five minutes later, as substitute Will Baker put Stapenhill 2–3 ahead, leaving Dinnington Town facing a renewed challenge.

A pivotal moment followed on 76 minutes when Muse Jeng was sent off for a second bookable offence, shifting the balance of the contest in Dinnington Town’s favour.

Sensing the opportunity, the hosts pushed forward with greater urgency but were dealt another setback on 82 minutes when Louis Briscoe added his second of the evening to extend the lead to 2–4.

With time running out, Dinnington Town produced a spirited response. Mason Barlow reduced the deficit to 3–4 on 84 minutes, injecting belief into the side, before captain Jay Atkin led by example just two minutes later, forcing the equaliser to make it 4–4 and complete a remarkable turnaround in the closing stages.

The momentum was firmly with Dinnington Town as the match entered stoppage time, and they came close to finding a winner.

Dinnington Town had an effort cleared off the line and hit the underside of the bar with a header from a corner, but the game moved into extra time level at 4–4.

Dinnington Town carried that energy into the additional period and took the lead once again on 92 minutes, as Brad Kerr rose to make it 5–4.

With the numerical advantage, the hosts maintained their attacking intent, and on 108 minutes Ali Elkossi extended the lead to 6–4, seemingly putting Dinnington Town in control.

However, the drama was not over.

On 115 minutes, Stapenhill were awarded their second penalty of the night, and Joe Worth converted to reduce the deficit to 6–5, ensuring a tense and uncertain finish.

Dinnington Town, though, showed character and composure to respond once more. On 119 minutes, Josh Baxter added the decisive goal to make it 7–5, becoming the seventh different scorer on the night and underlining the collective attacking contribution across the side.

In a contest defined by momentum shifts, individual contributions, and relentless intensity, Dinnington Town ultimately emerged as deserved winners, securing their place in the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup Final at Alfreton Town on Thursday 26th April.

Next up, Dinnington Town play in the final of the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup against Staveley Miners Welfare, at Alfreton Town's ground. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.