Moulton Harrox 2
Wyberton 2 (AET Moulton won 5-3 on penalties)
Moulton Harrox lifted the FA County Junior Cup after a dramatic victory over Wyberton.
Declan Earth’s 120th minute equaliser sent the game to spot kicks where Moulton produced five fine penalties and Brendan Taylor an excellent save in front of 650 at Boston United’s Jakeman’s Community Stadium on Friday night.
An own goal put Kev Nottingham’s side into the lead after 21 minutes in an end-to-end game.
Taylor made some brilliant saves throughout but he could do nothing about Liam Ogden’s 77th minute strike that brought Wyberton level.
The same player then had the chance to win it when the referee gave a penalty for a handball with just five minutes left.
Ogden though could only hit the bar from close range.
Moulton went close twice in added time but the game went to extra time.
Taylor made more saves in the first period, but in the 108th minute he was adjudged to have brought down an attacker and faced his second penalty of the night.
This time Scott Dawson converted.
Moulton threw everything forward to get back into the game and in added time of extra time Earth made no mistake from close range to send the game to penalties.
He scored the opening spot kick before Taylor saved Dawson’s second penalty of the night.
Louis Steadman, Kane Gilbert and Gary Chappell all netted for Harrox before sub John Ball strolled up to confidently slot the ball to the Wyberton keeper’s right to win the cup.
Secretary Stewart Manning said: “It was a brilliant night for the club.
“They were five almost perfect penalties that the keeper couldn’t get near.
“There’s a massive togetherness in the club morale is sky high.
“We’re on a great run having not lost since October ahead of a chaotic period of 12 games left.
“Fingers crossed we can keep going and win the league.”
Moulton were due to be back in action against Holbeach United Reserves on Wednesday night (result not known at the time of going to press.”
