Eaton Socon 2, Great Shelford 2
28th September 2019 :: Premier League Cup
(Eaton lost 6-7 pens)
Eaton produced their best display of the season in a cup match that saw them play an hour of the game with 10 men.
The first half saw Eaton on top and deservedly took the lead when Alderson and Hickling combined for GAC to finish well inside the box. Further chances came and went including a Thorpedo free-kick that struck the post. The Shelford keeper made an incredible double save to keep the score at 1-0 and that save inspired Eaton further. So much so that Flack acrobatically tipped a ball around the corner. The only problem was, Flacky is a right back and had already been booked so a second yellow followed for him and Eaton were down to 10.
The second half saw Eaton well organised and always a threat on the break but Shelford levelled when Gallucci got hands on the strike but couldn’t quite keep it out. Flacky would’ve saved it for sure! Rhys Thorpe restored the lead when GAC and Alderson linked up brilliantly to put Thorpe in on goal. His initial effort was saved by the goalkeeper but the rebound deflected off the massive chip on his shoulder and trickled in. Shelford equalised for a second time when Eaton failed to clear their lines and the ball was poked home to make it 2-2. The last 10 minutes saw Alderson being chopped down more frequently than the trees in the Amazon rainforest and team Wootend at the back were making sure Eaton took the game to a penalty shootout.
After 12 perfect penalties, which saw both goalkeepers diving out of the way, Lewis Davis stepped up and saw his effort saved which gave Shelford the chance to clinch it with their next spot kick which they did.
A great performance by Eaton and very unfortunate to go out in the lottery of a shootout. MOM Aaron Wooton who was superb at the back even though the poor little sausage felt a bit poorly in the second half.