AFC Pensnett Panthers spot on for cup success
AFC Pensnett Panthers held their nerve to win a thrilling penalty shoot-out against Wyrley Juniors Reserves to secure the Beacon League Concentric Sales & Lettings Clinton Cup.
Normal regulation time failed to find an outright winner and following an additional 30 minutes extra-time, the teams remained deadlocked at 2-2, writes Simon Cater.
Wyrley provided most of the early threat on goal, Bobby Khakh wasting a golden opportunity to put his side into the lead after just three minutes, steering his shot just wide while Jake Richardson’s finish lacked the quality to trouble Matt Bateman in the Pensnett goal.
At the other end, Josh Davies saw his effort roll agonisingly wide of the upright following a lapse in concentration from keeper Michael Dixon.
Panthers opened up a slender half-time lead when Max Berrow converted a stunning strike from 25 yards that found its way in off the angle of post and crossbar.
But Wyrley were level just after the restart, Bobby Khakh heading home a pinpoint cross from man-of-the-match Tamari Maxwell.
Scott Lloyd was inches away from restoring Pensnett’s lead when his glancing header crashed back off the crossbar and away to safety.
Wyrley forged ahead for the first time in the tie on 67 minutes, the impressive Maxwell again the provider as Stefan Bernard nodded in from close range.
With time running out, Pensnett surged forward in search of the equaliser and with the ball running loose in the box, skipper Lloyd smashed the ball home with four minutes remaining to set up extra-time.
Chances were at a premium during the additional time with the destiny of the trophy to be decided by the dreaded penalty kicks.
Panthers held firm to net all four of their kicks and with Bernard and the unlucky man-of–the-match Maxwell seeing their spot-kicks saved by the impressive Bateman, the celebrations got under way as Lloyd received the trophy from league co-founder David Clinton to the delight of the watching Pensnett supporters.
