Alveston U11's progressed into the quarter finals of the knockout cup, winning a penalty shootout 3-1 against a spirited Santos Youth team.
In a scrappy game Alveston struggled to get to grips with the blustery conditions, and never really got their passing game going, which benefited the team from a division below. Santos competed for every ball and deservedly took the lead when a mix up in the home defence between Isaac Downes & Dan Malone allowed Josh Dixon to steal in and prod the ball into an empty net.
Alveston responded immediately, and Julian Thomas held the ball up well to release Alan Mackinnon down the left hand side, his cross found Josh Humphriss who's shot was parried by the keeper and Joe Vose lobbed wide. Alveston were soon level when the industrious Matty Rickett won the ball in the middle of the park before threading a delightful ball for Josh Humphriss, who made no mistake with his finish, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
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| Celebrations after the penatlies |
The second half continued to be scrappy, with neither team able to create any real openings. Alex Connor was superb at the heart of the home defence, marshalling his players well and snuffing out any danger, whilst at the other end Roshen Foley & Jamie Stevens both went close.
Alveston were unlucky not to wrap the game up in extra time, when Josh Humphriss hit an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area, which cannoned back off the crossbar, and did the same again only minutes later.
With the score level after extra time it was down to penalties. All the players from both sides who stepped forward and volunteered to take a penalty deserve an enormous amount of credit, and on this occasion it was Alveston who came out on top 3-1, with successful penalties from Roshen Foley, Alex Connor & Harry Coleman.
