The Leopards welcomed Lordswood to Borstal in the Second Round of the League Cup.

The hosts welcomed back Joe form injury and has a squad of 16 available.

The Leopards started strongly and went close to opening the scoring as Zach received Jack’s pass and burst into the box, his effort was saved by the keeper at the near post.

But the hosts soon took the lead as Ben’s throw in was flick on by Benni. David latched onto the loose ball and tucked under the keeper at the near post.

The visitors then drew level against the run of play. A free kick from just inside our half a dangerous ball into the box was claimed by Tommy but he couldn’t prevent it from going over the line.

Into the Second Half and the visitors took the lead, as a cross from the left floated over Tommy and inside the far post.

The Leopards now had a game on their hands and were level as David flicked a lovely ball through for Paul to latch on to and slot past the keeper

In midfield, Connor & Joe were keeping the ball moving on the left wing. While Luke was linking play up front.

They thought they had taken the lead soon after as Phillip’s teasing cross was tucked home at the far post by Paul, but the linesman adjudge him offside.

Lordswood looked to counter, but the back 3 of Josh, Peter, Brick and Joseph were defending strongly to see the game into Extra Time.

The Leopards thought they had grabbed the lead as David’s through ball intended for Paul (in an offside position) was deflected into Benni’s path, he advanced then squared to Paul to tap in. The linesman again raised his flag to disallow the goal.

Into the Second Half of Extra Time and again the hosts had the ball in the net, Callum’s shot from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper, Paul followed in but the keeper nudged the ball away from him only as far as David, who tucked home. But once again the linesman adjudged someone (?!) to be offside.

The Leopards did finally get their goal, as Callum’s delicious delivery was met by Peter’s powerful header from close range.

Just as the hosts thought they had won the game, Lordswood grabbed a dramatic equaliser to send the game to penalties!

The boys decided themselves who were taking the penalties and Ben, Benni, Joe, Paul & Callum all tucked their penalties away to send us through to the Quarter Finals!

Parents Player: David;
Coaches Player: Callum.

Coaches Thoughts
I felt we played some decent stuff and created plenty of chances, and if goals had been allowed I feel that scoreline would not have flattered us.
But we gave away some very cheap goals and if you do that, you leave yourself with an uphill battle.
But the boys kept going and fair play to the 5 penalty takers, takes a lot of bottle to take a pen. And they all nailed them!