6.30pm 11 May 2015
York League, Junior Cup Semi-Final
Thorpe United 3 Stamford Bridge 3, 6-5 on penalties (att 44)
The semi-finals of the York League's Junior Cup, for clubs outside the top two divisions, gave me the chance to return to Thorpe Willoughby and "tidy up" a ground I went to three years ago.
Back in 2012, I saw Thorpe United play a pre-season cup match on a pitch marked out on the outfield of the cricket pitch, rather than on the fully-railed off pitch, with dugouts, that lies beyond the cricket ground.
Just like last time, it was a decent cup tie eventually settled by a penalty shootout. Thorpe, who finished their league season fourth in division two, started well against Stanford Bridge, runners-up in division three.
Despite that it was the visitors who went ahead, Thorpe soon levelled, and when they took a 2-1 lead, just before half time, I thought it would be a straightforward home win.
It wasn't to be though. Thorpe always had the edge, but couldn't shake off their dogged opponents. Stamford Bridge equalised, then Thorpe scored again and Stamford Bridge equalised again.
The penalties that decided the tie maintained the drama. The first 10 kicks were all scored, before Stamford Bridge had their sixth saved, and Thorpe scored to reach the final.
York League, Junior Cup Semi-Final
Thorpe United 3 Stamford Bridge 3, 6-5 on penalties (att 44)
The semi-finals of the York League's Junior Cup, for clubs outside the top two divisions, gave me the chance to return to Thorpe Willoughby and "tidy up" a ground I went to three years ago.
Back in 2012, I saw Thorpe United play a pre-season cup match on a pitch marked out on the outfield of the cricket pitch, rather than on the fully-railed off pitch, with dugouts, that lies beyond the cricket ground.
Just like last time, it was a decent cup tie eventually settled by a penalty shootout. Thorpe, who finished their league season fourth in division two, started well against Stanford Bridge, runners-up in division three.
Despite that it was the visitors who went ahead, Thorpe soon levelled, and when they took a 2-1 lead, just before half time, I thought it would be a straightforward home win.
It wasn't to be though. Thorpe always had the edge, but couldn't shake off their dogged opponents. Stamford Bridge equalised, then Thorpe scored again and Stamford Bridge equalised again.
The penalties that decided the tie maintained the drama. The first 10 kicks were all scored, before Stamford Bridge had their sixth saved, and Thorpe scored to reach the final.
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