U15s Progress on Penalties in County Cup

Longlevens U15s took on Tewkesbury Town Colts of the Evesham league in a County Cup Last 16 clash at Longford Lane on Sunday. This was Longlevens' second cup game in as many days having overcome Cam in the league cup, the previous day.

The game started evenly and Longlevens defended well and battled hard against a well-drilled Tewkesbury team. Both teams entered into a physical battle in midfield and contested every ball. But midway through the first half Longlevens started to gain some joy down the left-wing and after going close a couple of times, Longlevens again forced the ball into the box, this time Ben was challenged unfairly and Longlevens were awarded a penalty. Ben picked himself up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick to put the hosts ahead at the break.

The second half was again a game that was evenly contested all over the pitch. The midfield trio of James, Jude and Jae worked hard to close down the creative players and when they won the ball back the breakaways were fast and to the heart of the Tewkesbury defence. Late in the game, one such breakaway down the left saw Ben lay the ball off to Jae, his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper who could only parry the ball away and Phoenix was on hand to make it 2-0 with 6 minutes to play.

This seemed to spur Tewkesbury into action and having had a goal ruled out for offside they kept pressing down the heart of the Longlevens' defence. Their persistence paid off with 3 minutes to go and they pulled a goal back. Suddenly the momentum had swung in favour of the visiting team and with a minute to go they equalised to send their players into raptures and the game to penalties. Full time 2-2.

Tewkesbury were first up and scored. Ben, then, was not as calm as he was in normal time and sent his penalty over the bar. Advantage Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury doubled their advantage before Jon saved two Tewkesbury penalties in a row and with Jae, Kyrel and Alfie having held their nerve to score their penalties, it was down to Phoenix to score to send Longlevens through. He did so and the feelings of relief and jubilation were equal as the boys celebrated their victory against a very worthy opponent in Tewkesbury Town Colts.
Congratulations to all the boys on a well-fought and hard game.