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Young Cuckoos win a county cup final thriller after penalty shoot-out
YAXLEY 1 SAWTRY 1
YAXLEY 1 SAWTRY 1Under 18 Hunts County Cup final
(Yaxley won 5-4 on penalties)
YAXLEY'S will be the 17th name on the Gayton Cup after a tense county cup final shoot-out with Sawtry at Eynesbury.
But despite the tight scoreline this was far from a boring spectacle for the hundreds of fans who ringed the pitch.
And it was Peterborough Youth League side Sawtry who created the best early opening against opponents who play in the UCL when Craig Smith beat Yaxley keeper Dan Stephens to a through-ball but saw his shot drift just wide.
The Cuckoos were quick to respond, however, and Sam Makansi's header was just wide after good work from Luke McDowell on the wing.
But with defences on top, the game looked like ending goaless until Makansi popped up with what appeared to be the winning goal with another header just 10 minutes from time.
Rather than accept their fate though, Sawtry continued to press and were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude when the irrepressible Smith fired home the equaliser from 20 yards in the second minute of added time.
And despite both sets of players beginning to tire in extra-time both had chances to win it with Smith going close for Sawtry and Luke Bonney with a free-kick for Yaxley which was tipped onto the bar by Stephens.
That meant penalties, and after nine well struck spot- kicks, there was heartbreak for Sam Maryon and Sawtry after the youngster blasted wide to hand Yaxley the cup.
It was tough luck on Maryon who had enjoyed a good game on a night when, according to Yaxley boss Nigel Clarke, no one deserved to lose.
He said: "It was a superb game and both teams deserved something but someone has to lose.
"It was a wonderful advert for football in the county and both teams should be congratulated for providing such a wonderful evening. It says it all that our keeper was man-of- the-match but we are delighted to have come through to lift the trophy."
Squads
Sawtry: Bruce Carnichan, Josh Dixon, Jack Gray, Matthew Guyer, Josh Longland, Sam Maryon, Will Mays, Alex Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Sam O'Connell, Richard Panico, Calum Pawsey, Ben Phillips, Danny Potter, Craig Reed, Luke Reed, Craig Smith, Lewis Waldron.
Yaxley: Dan Stephens, Chris King, Danny Hotchkiss, Jake Pell, Owen Uglow, Luke McDowell, Luke Bonney, Louis Medwynter, Ryan Dixon, Craig Thain, Sam Makansi, Corey Kingston, Lennox Desborough.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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