Basingstoke & District League Handbook
Basingstoke & District League Handbook
30/08/24
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Andover New Street 2 Rising Sun DC 2 aet. (Rising Sun won 4-3 on penalties.)
Rising Sun DC pulled off a great win to move into the Semi Finals of the Basingstoke Senior Cup after a penalty shootout on Wednesday evening away to Wessex League side Andover New Street.
It was the home side taking a tenth minute lead when a cross from the left hit the underside of the crossbar and the ball rebounded off the Rising Sun full back Damian Smith into the net.
Rising Sun gave newly signed goalkeeper Andrew Bennett his first start and he was to play a big part in this result making several good saves before his team equalized in the 60th minute when Ben Nicholls received a good ball from the left and took his time controlling and then beating the keeper easily. Nicholls then put Rising Sun in front seven minutes later, cutting in from the left and finding the bottom corner.
New Street pressed strongly, but their finishing was poor and Bennett saved anything on target and then in the 84th minute he was beaten when they made it 2-2. It was from a penalty kick, taken by Liam Wilkins, well saved by Bennett and after blocking two further attempts from the rebounds, he was finally beaten.
Ben Nicholls had great chance to score the winner with three minutes to go when he was right through, tried to round the keeper who finally blocked his effort, although he looked to have been impended.
This brought extra time with neither side making any impact, so penalties would decide. The first two from both teams were either saved or hit over the bar and New Street finally took the lead from the third. Shaun Searle then converted to make it 1-1, but New Street again took the lead. Ben Nicholls made it 2-2, but again New Street beat Bennett. Richard Kalwarczyk made no mistake with his spot kick to make it 3-3 and a vital save from Bennett meant if Ben Vine scored it would see Rising Sun through. His penalty kick was good making it a memorial 4-3 win after penalties.
Rising Sun will now play the winners of the Tadley Calleva versus Hungerford Town Quarter Final away in the last four.