AFC Waverton 2 v 2 Liscard Panthers AET (Waverton won 5-4 on Penalties)

Cheshire Junior Cup (15^th January 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Matt Sheen  -  1 (17)

Jonny Lee  -  1 (6)

Report

After a difficult match, against tough opponents, Waverton deservedly took their place in the Cheshire Cup semi-finals, but only after winning their first ever penalty shoot out.

The game had been in doubt earlier in the day, after a sharp overnight frost, but kicked off in sunny conditions but with a pitch which was still firm underfoot. Right from the start it was clear that this was going to be a tough match against a strong and resilient Liscard Panthers side. Waverton had the better of the early possession, but found it hard to carve out any clear chances against a strong Liscard defence. As the half continued the home side continued to enjoy the majority of the possession, and created a couple of half chances which they weren’t able to convert.

Approaching the break Liscard had their best spell of the game, and nearly took the lead from their first clear chance, but were denied as Jordan Coxall made a goal line clearance with the keeper beaten.  Liscard’s spell of pressure did pay off though as they took a lead five minutes before the break, against the general run of play, with their tall striker heading in a free-kick cross. Waverton responded very positively though, and it was well deserved when Matt Sheen cleverly headed in a Sam Jones cross/shot in the last minute of the half to make the score 1-1 at the break.

The pattern of the game was similar in the second period with Waverton enjoying most of the possession, but Liscard still looking strong and dangerous on the break. With fifteen minutes to go it was still level (with extra time looming) when Waverton looked to be denied a clear penalty after Sam Jones was brought down when clear through. To rub salt into the wounds, Liscard then took a 2-1 lead shortly afterwards, again from a free kick. Waverton had 10 minutes left to salvage their Cheshire Cup run.

Again though the team showed great character, with no heads dropping and they pushed forward hard for an equaliser, getting what they deserved when Jonny Lee glanced in a Sam Jones corner with five minutes to go. With little further incident it was still 2-2 at full time. Both sides played a bit more cagily in extra time, with very few clear cut chances, although Waverton could easily have won it in the very last minute, but a great Aaron Hasall cross somehow evaded three Waverton attempts to turn it in from close range.

So it was on to Waverton’s first ever 11-a-side penalty shoot out. The first 8 penalties were all converted (by Aaron, Charlie J, Brandon & Matt for the Wasps), making it 4 each. When Liscard missed their 5^th penalty though, Sam Jones had the chance to put Waverton through, and proved as reliable as usual from the spot to book a semi-final place,  causing a mass celebration from a Waverton team who, on balance, deserved their victory.