Biggleswade United won 5-3 on penalties
United let slip a 2-0 lead but redeemed themselves in the penalty shoot out which saw all United spot
kicks find the net for the first time in the club’s recent history.
United striker Luke Lincoln gave the home side a 17th minute lead after both he and Spencer’s Darren
Frost had gone close in the opening ten minutes. Link play in Spencer’s penalty area saw a United
four man move between Robbie O’Dell, Tom Barnett and Jason Davall finish with Lincoln blasting the ball
home from close range.
But United were still in celebratory mood when straight from the restart Steve Jelley broke down the right
and beating United skipper, Nick Stillwell for pace he was left with only keeper Robbie Timms to beat.
Fortunately for United he lifted his strike high and the ball thundered against the crossbar.
Further chances fell to both sides – a dipping volley from Darvall was caught under the Spencer cross bar
and a superb reflex save from Timms saw the hosts maintain their lead at the break.
Within seconds of the re-start United were two up. A high ball from United’s man of the match Andre
Maltay caught the visitor’s back line napping and O’Dell took full advantage! With his marker in his
wake, O’Dell sprinted into the box and fired past the visitor’s keeper.
It was the best possible start for United but the margin was reduced nine minutes later. The United back
pack failed to clear their lines and a goal mouth scramble set up Frost who tapped the ball over for 2-1.
The introduction of experienced striker and former Bedford Town player, Kevin Slinn, saw United sink
deeper in to their own half as the powerful front man started to create numerous chances for Spencer. And
it was only time before the UCL drew level. Once again indecision in the United defence saw a loose ball fall
to Spencer’s Carl Bates and like Frost he made no mistake from six yards out.
With seconds remaining of normal time Timms was once again the United hero as he tipped away a strike from
Jelley.
Extra time saw both sides battle to take the tie with O’Dell going close and Slinn for Spencer hitting wide
when well placed. So into penalties –at 10.15pm!!
Russell Kemp stepped up first and confidently planted the ball home but the next kick saw Timms dive the
right way and United gained the edge. Lincoln, Sam Brown, O’Dell scored theirs with style and without any
further misses from the visitors it was left to Dan Gaskin to keep a cool head to give United victory. And
the Luton player performed a Michael Jackson skit after the ball flew in to the net to take United into the
third round.
United: Timms, Scarisbrick, Jones, Stillwell (Goodship) Catmur, Maltay, Barnett (Brown),Kemp, Darvall (Gaskin), Lincoln, O’Dell.
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