The treble is on for Linfield Swifts following a dramatic 5-4 defeat of Newington in the first of this week's Ladbrokes Intermediate Cup semi-finals.
With the Steel & Sons Cup and the Premiership Development League already in the bag Alan Dornan's side kept up their quest for a third trophy with an extra-time victory over the Swans at Dixon Park.
Linfield started brightly and, after five minutes, took the lead with a well directed Jake Moore header from the edge of the six-yard box.
As the game settled into a series of end-to-end battles Newington hit back with two goals in as many minutes.
The first, on 31 minutes, came after Gerard Dempsey slid in on a cross and directed the ball past Linfield keeper Alex Moore.
Moments later another ball into the box was met by Gary Rafferty who diverted a glancing header beyond Moore.
But the Blues went in at the break back on level terms when, on the stroke of half-time, Pablo Andrade blasted an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.
Newington regained the advantage on 65 minutes courtesy of a Rafferty spot kick, awarded after Moore was adjudged to have committed an offence on the edge of the area.
And it was 4-2 with 20 minutes remaining when Dempsey grabbed his second of the night with a confident finish from the right.
However, the Swifts fought back to reduce the deficit on 79 minutes when Adam McCallum knocked the ball home from close range.
Then, just as it looked as if Newington had managed to do enough, Linfield levelled in the third minute of stoppage time. Jonny Frazer netted following a desperate scramble from a right-sided corner.
Moving into extra time Ethan Taggart scored what proved to be the winner in the 96th minute with a deflected effort.
Newington then had an effort cleared off the line while, at the other end, Jake Moore almost extended Linfield's advantage with a lob from distance that came back off an upright.
In the end, however, the 'wee' Blues had done enough to secure their place in the decider.
