Essex Senior League Premier Hullbridge Sports needed penalties to squeeze past terrific Essex & Suffolk Border Premier Great Bentley at Lower Road to progress in the Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Trophy.
This was both sides opening competitive fixture of the season and with the hosts two levels above their visiting opponents many thought it would be a routine home win, however Great Bentley went all of last season unbeaten in the league on their way to the Division One title and promotion, so they would be no pushovers for sure.
The opening fifteen minutes saw half chances for both sides however neither keeper were really tested but in the sixteenth minute Hullbridge thought they had taken the lead when Rose tapped home after keeper Waltham had parred an effort into his path, but the flag had gone up so the goal did not stand.
And in the 28th minute it was more anguish for the hosts as the visitors took a shock lead when a loose ball fell to Yarwood who drove a wonderful effort into the bottom corner giving Marsh no chance in the hosts net, and Great Bentley had a slender lead.
Bridge had a chance to make amends five minutes later when Hornsley got in after a defensive slip, but instead of going for goal he tried to square the ball across goal but it was a poor ball and the defence managed to clear for a corner, which was headed into the side netting.
And a minute before the break Hullbridge went close again when after keeper Waltham had spilled a cross, the loose ball fell to Salako whose curling effort went wide of the far post. But despite these chances the hosts had been fairly poor in the opening forty five minutes and saw the visitors go into the half with a slender lead, and more than holding their own too.
Half Time Hullbridge Sports 0 Great Bentley 1
The hosts looked to up the tempo in the second half and went very close to levelling four minutes into the half when Dicks created space for himself to shoot but saw his effort cannon back off the post, and for a period looked to turn the screw as they put their opponents under severe pressure.
Despite this though keeper Waltham was rarely tested in the Great Bentley goal as their defence continued to stand firm, but in the 65th minute Hornsley got into the box and went down under pressure from a defender, and the referee pointed to the spot, much to the visitors dismay. Cox, who had come on as a second half substitute, stepped up to send Waltham the wrong way and Bridge were level.
The hosts should of then taken the lead five minutes later when a cross into the box found Sotoyinbo right in front of goal but he could only volley over from point blank range, but in the 72nd minute they did find a second when Cox curled home a brilliant free-kick from twenty yards out and the hosts now had a slender advantage.
Instead of crumbling though the visitors seemed galvanized by going behind, and with twelve minutes remaining so nearly levelled when Daly struck an effort just wide of the upright, but it was a warning to the hosts indeed.
It was a warning they didn't heed to though, as with five minutes left sloppy play allowed Daly in to net a leveller and it meant the tie would end up going to penalties.
Sports went first and converted, and after four more successful penalties saw the shoot-out score at 3-2 to the hosts. Great Bentley then missed their third kick and when Sports netted their fourth it meant the visitors had to score, which they did, but Sports then made it five from five to end up winning the shoot-out 5-3 and progress into the next round.
Full Time Hullbridge Sports 2 Great Bentley 2 (Hullbridge Sports won 5-3 on penalties)
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