Shoot-out Victory sees Athletic into Semis

An impressive win against Beaconsfield U18’s sees Buckingham Athletic’s U18’s through to the semi-finals of the county cup. The game was not without drama as well as Buckingham managed to take it to penalties through a late equaliser. The club now look like they could be a contender for a league and cup double this season, a remarkable achievement if they were to pull it off.

This game was never suiting Buckingham as the boggy pitch hampered any good football that they are so used to and possession was not so easy to maintain. The game was not full of too much quality throughout, as a lack of clear cut chances meant it would only take a couple of goals to win the it. The first opportunity came when Jack Wiles’ cross found Jordan Tavener, whose chested touch took him within a shooting chance, but for him to only find the keeper’s hands.

Beaconsfield would also have a chance shortly after when the constant running of the front men caused problems for Athletic’s defence, but their finish was saved well by the feet of Laurence Mills. The deadlock and Buckingham’s defence was finally broken however, when the forwards from Beaconsfield proved too much for the defence once again when they finished a chance just inside the box from a one on one.

As the half drew to a close, Buckingham struggled to register enough shots to be testing the keeper and ended up going into half time 1-0 down, not a sight to be seen often this season. The second half did not see a great deal change as there was still a lack of opportunities for both sides. The game became more of a cagey encounter with tough tackling and arguments breaking out on a few occasions between the players.

The game became more open in the last few minutes when centre back, but first team forward, Robbie Carter, went up front to try and push for an equaliser. It wasn’t until added time until the scores were level when Robbie Carter and Geraint Minney scrambled the ball towards the goal, for the latter to finish from the edge of the box with a composed strike.

Penalties arrived next where Beaconsfield won the toss and decided to go first in order to reduce the pressure to match the opponents. They scored the first, sending Mills the wrong way. Carter then took the first penalty for Buckingham but he could only hit the crossbar. Both sides then scored there next couple of penalties with Jamie Sylvester and Tavener scoring for Buckingham, leaving the scores at 3-2 to Beaconsfield. Heroics from Mills to save the fourth then gave Minney the chance to equal the scores, which he did comfortably.

Both sides converted the final penalty of the five to take it to sudden death after Rory Busby cancelled out the Beaconsfield spot kick. It was Mills again this time who was the hero after his save from the sixth penalty, which allowed Phumlani Bhembe to seal the victory and a spot in the semi final of the county cup, which will be played later in the month. The man of the match performance had to go to Laurence Mills though as his penalty heroics send Buckingham a step closer to the final.

Laurence Mills was the man of the moment after his shoot-out heroics