ARDLEY United claimed local bragging rights when beating Bicester Town 3-0 to reach the Uhlsport Hellenic League Supplementary Cup final, writes Dale James.

Hosts Bicester, who have used Ardley’s Playing Fields ground as their base for the last two seasons, gave their higher level opponents a real test.

But they suffered two red cards as some clinical finishing put Ardley through to the final, where they will face Tuffley Rovers for the fifth time this season at Wantage Town on Saturday (3pm).

Bicester had a chance on nine minutes when Ricardo Benjamin saw his close-range shot saved by keeper Nick Bennion.

Ardley took the lead on 21 minutes, when Troy Bryan flicked on a throw to Matt Cruse, who had space to turn and fire into the bottom corner.

Bicester, for whom Ricardo Benjamin had a shot blocked, were reduced to ten men when Murray Nicholls was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, following a melee.

Despite being down to ten men, the hosts went close to equalising when Gavin Kidd fired just over.

Ardley doubled their lead two minutes before the interval, when Declan Benjamin fired across Bicester keeper Nick Lacey from 12 yards.

The game flowed from end to end in the second half and Ardley had the better of the chances, but some strong defending and wayward shooting kept the scoreline down.

It was not until Bicester’s Jason Prpa was sent off for a second yellow card in the 70th minute that Ardley asserted their dominance against nine men.

Five minutes later, Cruse sealed Ardley’s cup final place when firing home from the corner of the box with a low drive.

Ardley manager Paul Davis said: “We were under no illusions of how difficult this game was going to be, and so it proved for the opening twenty minutes or so as Bicester gave as good as they got.

“I have watched them a few times this season and today was the best I’ve seen them play.

“But we handled it really well, scored three good goals and whilst the game was overshadowed by the red cards I still felt we deserved the win.”