MATCH OF THE DAY: Overton edge penalties win over cup specialists Sychdyn

Overton and Sychdyn do battle in the Two Counties Cup. Pictures: SHAUN BEST

NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE TWO COUNTIES CUP

Overton Recreational 2
Sychdyn United 2
(Overton won 4-1 on penalties)

REPORT: SHAUN BEST

Overton keeper Tom McAndrew heroically saved two penalties in a shoot-out which ensured the home side progressed at the expense of visitors Sychdyn on spot-kicks.

Late drama at the Rec saw the hosts gain revenge for last month’s 3-2 league defeat on the same ground at the hands of Welsh Cup giant-killers United

An 89th minute equaliser rescued Saturday’s game for Overton and wrestled the tie away from the villagers, who up until then had looked home and hosed at 2-1 up.

In a quick return meeting between two NEWFA Division 2 sides, it was the hosts who ran into an early lead. Sychdyn failed to clear from a corner and Overton’s Alex Williams took advantage of chaos in the box to sweep the ball home.

Sychdyn goalkeeper Nathan Bradbrook then did well to beat a Harry Massey effort wide after the Overton frontman was played through on goal.

Overton’s lead didn’t last long. Jac Robins equalised with a well-drilled daisy cutter from the edge of the box after taking advantage of a loose ball.

The hosts were unlucky not to re-take the lead on a couple of occasions. Peter Thedens saw his looping header ricochet back off the far post, while Massey overran another through ball. Although he took the ball round Bradbrook, the angle was too tight for the frontman to score.

Sychdyn didn’t create many chances, but were clinical with the ones that they did. Early after the restart, Thomas Mitchell met Jordan Walker’s flag-kick with a perfect header into the bottom corner.

The visitors were happy to sit back and repelled several half chances, as Overton made a flurry of substitutions.

Bradbrook punched a free kick into the path of Rowan Birch, who headed over the rebound. Late on, the same player hung his foot out to hook over another chance from close range.

Undeterred, the hosts kept on going and their persistence was finally rewarded. Bradbrook clawed the ball off the line amid a scramble, but ‘fox in the box’ Massey was in the right place to fire in.

Preparing for penalties

McAndrew proved to be the hero in the shootout. The shot stopper guessed right to deny both Harry Gates and Shea Harding, giving Joshua Betteley the chance to net the winning penalty. The substitute calmly put his spot kick away to seal a 4-1 victory for the hosts.

TEAMS

Overton Recreational
Tom McAndrew, Rowan Birch, James Parry (c), Jason Edwards, Will Evans, Owen Platt, Alex Williams, Peter Thedens, Harry Massey, Tom Huxley, Nathan Pritchard. Subs used: Josh Betteley, Oliver Nelson, Carey Breeze, Lewis Evison.

Sychdyn United
Nathan Bradbrook (c), Jac Robins, Patrick Hird, Liam Edwards, Harvey Hammersley, Harry Gates, Thomas Mitchell, Ewan Whitley, Jordan Walker, Chris Hird, Kieran Durkin, Subs used: Adam Woosey, Callum Hughes, Callum Bennett, Shea Harding.