After falling at the semi-final hurdle three years in a row, the reserves booked their place in the final after a battling performance against championship rivals Fremantle Utd

Three was the magic number for Shamrock Rovers reserves on Wednesday night as they booked their place in the Reserve Cup Final for the first time since 2002.

Rovers had lost their three previous semi-finals, saw three Fremantle players sent-off and scored three goals of their own on an amazing night of cup football at the Litis Stadium.

Having been beaten 4-0 by the league leaders earlier in the season Rovers were in need of a quick start and got exactly that. Bristling with desire, commitment and aggression Rovers imposed themselves on a shell-shocked Fremantle side and got their reward after only fifteen minutes when top-scorer Elliot Wilkins drilled home a shot through a crowd of players from the top of the box.

Fremantle were on the ropes, but Rovers knew they needed at least another after failing to capitalise on their domination against both Lynwood and Spearwood in recent weeks.

The movement of Wilkins, James Kilbee, Matt Webb and Asid was causing Fremantle’s defence plenty of anxious moments the best chance falling to Dominic Piper who put a header over the bar when he met a Webb corner unmarked at the near post.

Piper was to make amends just a few minutes later, a through ball to Wilkins had forced a corner and Webb’s subsequent delivery again found Piper unmarked. This time his header was on target and despite the desperate attempts of the ‘keeper and his defenders the ball somehow managed to squeeze in and Rovers were two up.

Piper lost his marker at a corner yet again put couldn’t keep his header down with the goal at his mercy.

Fremantle’s task was made even harder just a few minutes later when their right-back, having been booked just a few minutes earlier hauled down Webb and was deservedly shown the red card.

Rovers, all though rushing things at times, were much the better team and apart from two corners which goalkeeper Gary Webley met with strong punches Fremantle and playmaker Jason Smith in particular were struggling to find holes in the Rovers defence.

Having gone in at half-time two goals and a man to the good, Rovers should have dominated the second-half but Fremantle, to their credit, began to find a way back into it.

The black and whites forced a number of corners and with the Rovers midfield visibly starting to tire, the Hoops supporters and coaching staff grew more anxious.

The Rovers rearguard of Nik Silsby, Brian Dunne, Dean Carey and an outstanding Adam Bailey held firm and although Fremantle were having plenty of the ball, Webley was never forced into making a save.

With just over ten minutes to go Fremantle’s chances took another dive with one of their midfielders receiving his second yellow card for dissent.

Down to nine, Fremantle continued to push but were unable to take advantage of a Rovers team who were careless in possession.

Remarkably, Fremantle lost a third player when their striker was sent off for deliberate handball.

Rovers now regained the ascendancy and although Kilbee and Wilkins had missed a number of chances as Fremantle pushed forward, the blonde-haired striker was able to finish his most difficult chance superbly to guarantee the lads a place at Members Equity Stadium on the 7^th of October.