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Albion Powerchair secure spot in FA Disability Cup final

Albion PFC pose for a photo.

Albion Powerchair secured their spot in the FA Disability Cup final with excellent quarter-final and semi-final victories at the Derby Arena on Sunday.

The Baggies beat Newcastle United and rivals Aston Villa to earn the opportunity to defend their FA Disability Cup title at St George's Park next month.

Albion will play at the home of England teams on June 28/29 against rivals Aspire PFC, dubbed powerchair football's 'El Classico'.

Matt Gilbert in action.

The Baggies began the day in Derbyshire with a quarter-final tie against Newcastle United, with the defending champions aiming to go one better than their 2-2 draw in the National League earlier this month.

The game began quickly, with both teams offering a threat in-front of goal, Chris Gordon made a goalline save to deny the Toon an advantage, before storming into the attacking third to score a penalty won by Dylan Kelsall.

Newcastle responded with 10 minutes left to play with a tap-in at the back post, ensuring the game went through to extra-time and potentially even penalties.

Extra-time brought plenty of chances for Albion, but they couldn't capitalise, leaving the tie to be separated by penalties. Gordon, Kelsall, Brad Bates and Lucas Christer all stepped up to score in a 7-6 penalty shootout win.

Chris Gordon fires home against Aston Villa.

The semi-final came soon after, with a West Midlands derby against Aston Villa set to take place, the winner would head into the FA Disability Cup final.

A derby should always come with fireworks, and this one certainly did, forcing Villa goalkeeper Amir Ali within 10 seconds, but even with several other opportunities, they couldn't break the deadlock at half-time.

Gordon turned to the bench, and brought on Matt Gilbert, who made the difference within 30 seconds of entering the court - smashing the ball through the posts to give Albion a well-deserved advantage.

Gilber again made the difference, controlling Kelsall's pass on the break before smashing into the left corner to ensure a place in the FA Disability Cup final.

Albion: Gordon (c), Bates, Inel, Kelsall, Christer, Rock.

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