MANAGER Mark Tring heaped praise on hat-trick hero Dan Reynolds after he fired AFC Gas into the Wiltshire Sunday Cup final with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Highworth Town Sunday in the last four.

Swindon Sunday League Division One title-chasers Gas will now meet The Dursley Arms, of the Chippenham & District Sunday League, in the final in Royal Wootton Bassett on April 9 after they overcame Deers Leap 3-0 in the other semi-final.

After a goalless first-half, Gas fell behind midway through the second but Reynolds levelled the scores 10 minutes from the end to take the contest into extra time.

Gas had to deal with another setback at the start of the additional half-hour when Lenny Khan was dismissed for a second bookable offence but Tring’s side refused to roll over and two more goals from Reynolds secured the win.

“I’m absolutely delighted. The character shown by the lads was unbelievable. They kept believing and never gave up,” said Tring.

“We kept battling away and in the end, we got the two goals in extra time to give us what I thought was a deserved victory.

“Dan Reynolds was fantastic. For 90 minutes, he was the standout player on the pitch. He got three superb goals and was the real driving force behind us.

“He is only 19 and it’s his first season with us but he has been a really big player for us and we’re so proud of his performance.

“Dursley are not to be underestimated. They have beaten Greyhound, FC Walcot and Deers Leap on the way to the final. They are all in our division, so we know those sides are no pushovers.

“We expect another difficult game but we will go into the final quietly confident about our chances.”

Gas’ cup exploits saw them fall five points off the pace in their quest for league honours as Greyhound won 6-0 at home to bottom side Jovial Monk, although Tring’s side have two games in hand on the Division One leaders.

In Division Two, DPR took advantage of a fixtureless weekend for table-toppers Rodbourne Real to move within eight points of the summit with two games in hand after a 7-0 romp at DH Fitness.

Bottom side Wanborough were beaten 6-2 at Chilli Shak, while Your Sport Swindon were 3-0 winners on their trip to Fairford Town Sunday.

Just one game took place in Division Three, with a 1-0 success for second-placed AFC Cricklade at Stratton Saints moving them within one point of table-toppers Croft Junior.

Coleshill Youth pulled four points clear at the top of Division Four after a 4-1 win at home to Rudis. Nationwide eased to a 6-2 success at Smart Movers, while Chiseldon Sunday beat basement boys PSV Swindon 4-2.

Purton Red House’s title prospects in Division Five suffered a setback as they fell to a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Northern Lights.

Bottom side Swindon Rovers picked up just their seventh point of the season when they drew 1-1 at home to Paxton House United, while Save on Tyres Athletic won 3-1 at Cricklade Park Rangers.