Brownedge held their nerve to win this U14 Small Schools Cup tie on penalties but only after All Hallows’ staged a late comeback from 2 goals down to take the game to extra time.
It was the visitors who started on the front foot and Smith could have put them into the lead early on but his shot was wide of the post.
They were made to pay when Wood and Chester put the hosts 2-0 ahead going into the break with two smart finishes and it could have been more with space opening up at the back as the visitors looked for a way back into the game.
An early second half penalty saw the visitors back in the game, Smith converting, but that joy was short lived as Brownedge went 3-1 ahead with Wood’s second of the game, a lofted volley over the head of keeper, Kambar.
All Hallows kept pushing for a way back into the game and two goals in the closing minutes were reward for their pressure, Adeoti with one, after hitting the woodwork twice during the game, and Humphreys the other.
Extra time saw no additional goals and the game was decided by penalties with the hero, Firth, stepping up to slot home the winning penalty and send Brownedge through to a meeting away to Sefton High School or Westholme School in round 2.
With Thanks to our official photographer Gary Griffiths
Congratulations to both teams involved! If you would like your ESFA Schools Cup game featured, then don’t hesitate to contact [email protected]
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.