WHAT happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? The answer, in footballing terms, is an absolute classic.
The club champions from Jersey, St Clement, ventured over to enemy soil to face Guernsey victors Vale Recreation to contest this season’s Upton and for those in attendance the affair proved well worth their time, with Vale Rec securing their first Upton Trophy in 36 years in the most dramatic fashion.
Rec claimed the FNB Priaulx League crown by four points over Northerners, while Caesarean side St Clement were unstoppable in the second half of the Premiership 1 campaign to finish 13 points clear of rivals St Peter.
It was Vale who took the lead at Blanche Pierre Lane through Seb Skillen, who nodded past Daniel Tostevin.
But St Clement hit back through the evergreen marksman Karl Hinds, who fired home off the underside of the bar to draw level.
Chances came and went in the second half but, with both sides deadlocked, extra time beckoned.
Again the additional 30 minutes could not separate the sides, with penalties needed to decide the Channel Island champions.
St Clement, despite failing to convert their first two penalties, held firm.
Seven penalties in succession were dispatched, before finally Vale Rec were able to squeeze past in the tenth round of spot kicks through Matt Ozanne.
Victory marks just the second time in ten years the crown has gone to a Guernsey club.
