Wheathampstead pay the penalty

County Cup Mangrove 3 Wheathampstead Wanderers 3 (Mangrove win 5-4 on pens) Wheathampstead suffered their first loss of the season going out of the County Cup on penalties at Mangrove. The Wanderers started strongly with marksman Rob Clark opening the sco

County Cup

Mangrove 3 Wheathampstead Wanderers 3 (Mangrove win 5-4 on pens)

Wheathampstead suffered their first loss of the season going out of the County Cup on penalties at Mangrove.

The Wanderers started strongly with marksman Rob Clark opening the scoring with two well struck shots both taking deflections into the net within 15 minutes. Mangrove reduced the deficit to make it 2-1 at the interval.

Due to a first half injury to keeper Gavin Simpson, Frankie Buckler came on.

A slow start from Wanderers allowed Mangrove to equalise within minutes of the second half. Wheathampstead suffered the loss of a second 'keeper when an injured Buckler was in turn substituted forcing Angus Raeside between the sticks.

A fiercely contested battle saw the cup game go to extra time.

An intended cross from Mangrove ended up in the back of the Wheathampstead net, allowing them to take the lead for the first time in the match.

However, in the second half of extra time Clark equalised after the 'keeper fumbled an effort finishing off a well deserved hat-trick and forcing the match to penalties.

Composure and fine finishing saw Wheathampstead match Mangrove's penalties until Rory Scott was denied by a good save, allowing Mangrove to win the game with the final penalty.

Despite this narrowest of defeats the future looks bright for Wheathampstead's first team with improving performances all-round.