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By Sirocco win a dramatic penalty shoot-out and brave Spiers proves himself the hero of the hour

AN emotional Darren Frame said it was “written in the stars” after Darren Spiers, whose brother is gravely ill in England, stepped off the bench to send Sirocco through to the Toals Steel & Sons Cup Christmas Day showpiece.

The distraught midfielder was originally meant to sit out last night’s semi-final against Crumlin Star at Seaview, but a late change of heart saw him named on the bench.

And from there he was to emerge the hero after coming on as a second half substitute and later converting the decisive spot-kick after an entertaining tie had finished 1-1.

Frame admitted the gutsy victory was his best moment in football, but his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of their penalty shoot-out win was with their stricken matchwinner.

“Darren’s brother lives over in Manchester and he is very, very sick so this was written in the stars for him,” said Frame, whose side took an early first half lead through Kurtis Hanna before being pegged back late in the second half.

“But oh my God, what amazing scenes, and it’s just great that out of the teams left, there was us, Crumlin Star and East Belfast flying the flag for the Amateur League. For me, this is the best ever, and now I just have to go home and tell the wife.”

Meanwhile, holders Newington and St James Swifts will replay their abandoned quarter-final after the Steel & Sons committee sat immediately after last night’s semi-final.

Following consideration it was decided that the two teams will meet again on Monday, December 3 at Seaview to decide who will be Sirocco’s opposition on Christmas morning.

FRAMEOUS RESULT Delighted Sirocco manager Darren Frame celebrates with Michael Bowers after the tie DARREN’S DAY Sirocco’s Darren Spiers is mobbed by his teammates following his winning penalty