Moody spot on for Youth

UNDER NINE LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Lydiard goalkeeper and man of the match Aaron Moody ensured a fitting finish to the under nines' showpiece as his spot-kick lifted his side to a 5-4 victory on penalties over Purton Westbrook A.

Moody ensured Purton didn't take the lead in the first minutes as he smothered the ball at Daniel Loyden's feet after a Joe English through ball had opened up the defence.

Five minutes later Moody was at it again, as he once more smothered at Loyden's feet after another English pass.

Moody's heroics lifted his teammates as they began to stamp their authority on the game.

Aaron Sawyer and Rees Burton both forced saves from Charley Gillett before the latter opened the scoring in the 13th minute.

Nathan James had a shot blocked and the ball fell to an unmarked Burton at the far post and he coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

A 25-yard pot shot from Kyle Gentleman levelled things up just two minutes later, the effort squirming beneath Moody after Lydiard failed to clear from a Loyden effort.

Burton put his side again three minutes before half-time, heading home an inch-perfect Sawyer cross from the right.

Kieran O'Daly headed just over seconds before half-time after a Sawyer corner.

A minute after the restart a great save from Gillett denied O'Daly.

Then a quick corner from Jake Roberts gave Sawyer a sight at goal but Gillett made a good diving save.

With three minutes left, Lewis Tidy squandered a chance to equalise as he hit over from 10 yards.

However, a trip on English in the box gave Westbrook the opportunity to send the game into extra time and English picked himself up to make no mistake with the spot kick.

Neither side managed to grab the winner in the two extra periods, the best chance falling to English who was denied with a 20-yard free kick by a good save from Moody.

Both Moody and Gillett made a save during the first five penalties before, with the first kick of sudden-death, Moody saved from his opposite number.

A coolly taken penalty from Moody in the bottom right corner sealed the trophy.

Man of the Match: Aaron Moody (Lydiard Youth)

Report & picture courtesy of Swindon Evening Advertiser
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