Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Round 2
Wormley Rovers 3-3 Letchworth Garden City Eagles – Letchworth win 4-1 on penalties
LETCHWORTH progressed to the third round of the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Wormley.
They got off to the best possible start when Ben L’Honore put them ahead inside the first minute. Harry Holland latched onto a long ball and challenged the goalkeeper, and while the home side appealed for handball, L’Honore struck into an unguarded net. The same player made it two on 20 minutes, producing a brilliant turn close to the by-line on the right hand side, before running infield and lashing a shot under the keeper. Eagles had been comfortably in the driving seat for the first period, but took their foot off the pedal in the second and were soon made to pay when Wormley’s Jack Barratt touched home after a corner. All of a sudden the tide had turned, and Eagles had Dan Goad in goal to thank for a superb one-on-one save after a long ball over the top. However he was left helpless with 15 minutes remaining when Linger struck home from the edge of the box when left completely unmarked. A good response was needed from Eagles, and they enjoyed a good spell in the final few moments. Connor Pennery hit a long range effort wide and Harry Holland glanced a header inches over the bar with the last action of the 90 minutes.
Extra-time started with another superb reaction stop by Goad, before Eagles had a golden chance to go back in front themselves. Sub Jason Drackford was put through but his scuffed effort was smothered by the Wormley keeper. Markus Brown then made a vital block at the other end, getting his foot to a low near post cross to deny a certain goal. Wormley took the lead for the first time at the start of the second period of extra-time when Linger and strike partner McKenzie-McKay broke the offside trap, the former squaring to the latter for a simple finish. But Eagles hit back in the nick of time when the tireless Holland was fouled 30 yards from goal. The trusty left-foot of Rob Groves came to Eagles rescue again when he curled in home to force penalties. Wormley were found wanting from the spot, scoring just one out of four, with two going over and Goad saving one. Eagles were far more clinical – Groves, Holland and Pennery all scoring to send them through. They will be hoping to go one better in a competition they lost the final of last season.
Team – Goad; Pennery, Garwood, Brown, Mitchell; Sewell (Morbin), Pateman, Groves, Locke (Drackford); Holland, L’Honore (Finan)
