Drama as Desford Reserves Claim Cup Semi-Final Spot

Two penalty shoot-out saves from ‘keeper Oscar Webb helped Desford Reserves progress to the Leicestershire County Cup semi-finals, writes Stewart Bint.

This drama-laden match had everything to make it what Manager Hilroy Benjamin described as a classic cup-tie; including a late home side equaliser to take it to extra time, a mass skirmish involving almost all of the players, and an absolute last gasp equaliser from the visitors to line up the lottery of penalties.

Desford super-sub Mo Baldeh was named Man-Of-The-Match, coming on in the 70th minute to score twice.

Buckminster took the lead in the 19th minute when the swirling wind caught Danny Moore’s high punt into the penalty area, carrying it over the stranded Webb’s head into the net.

Rich Bird battled well at the back to snuff out a number of further Buckminster chances, and at the other end Ellis Benjamin went close for Desford on a couple of occasions. Other good efforts for the home side came from Dan Portch following Kieron Thompson’s darting run, and Ross Hollingsworth, whose excellent shot was desperately palmed away by ‘keeper Harry Nicholls.

Eventually it was a double substitution, bringing on Baldeh and Simon Allen, that began Desford’s comeback. With just eight minutes to go, Baldeh collected the ball near the half-way line and demonstrated blistering pace to beat two defenders before his looping shot fell just inside the far post.

Shortly after the start of extra time Buckminster Captain Paul Chambers handled inside the penalty area, and Baldeh had the confidence to calmly place the spot kick beyond Nicholls.

The game’s individual niggling tensions finally erupted into a mass skirmish of pushes and slaps involving 18 players, which saw Hollingsworth red carded, and yellow cards for Captain Shaun Hunt and Buckminster’s Craig Moore.

Deep into stoppage time added for the five minutes lost to restoring order after the fracas, Desford conceded a needless free kick just outside the penalty area. The ball was hoisted into the packed danger zone and Lewis Kettle prodded home through the massed defenders.

Coupled with Buckminster missing their first shoot-out spot kick and Webb saving the 4th and 5th, Desford found the target through Sam Spence, Ash Readdie and Hunt to win the penalty lottery 3 – 2.