Bridgnorth claim cup success

AFC Bridgnorth proved deadly from the spot as they beat Wellington Amateurs 4-3 when their Shropshire Premier Cup quarter-final went to a penalty shoot-out.

Jason Pike of Bridgnorth fouls Ryan Guryn of Wellington

Philip Hurdley of Bridgnorth and James Mackenzie of Wellington

AFC Bridgnorth v Wellington Amateurs, in the Shropshire Premier Cup

Nuha Jabbi of Wellington and Kevin Buxton of Bridgnorth

Nuha Jabbi of Wellington and Kevin Buxton of Bridgnorth in action

Kevin Buxton of Bridgnorth and Ryan Guryn of Wellington

Andrew Hartlebury of Bridgnorth and James Mackenzie of Wellington

Clayton Johnson of Wellington is fouled by Kevin Buxton of Bridgnorth

Jamie King missed the fifth and last penalty for Ams at the Crown Meadow last night which, along with goalkeeper Steve Bray's fluffed effort, put them out.

Bridgnorth had scored all four penalties so didn't have to take their last kick in front of their main home end.

It came after 120 gruelling minutes in windswept conditions, where both sides battled against the Meadow slope.

The West Midlands League Division One leaders took the lead against their visitors on the half hour when Liam Bood was impeded in the area, Jason Pike converting the penalty.

Premier Division outfit Ams kicked downhill after the break and got their equaliser through James McKenzie, his second in three games, on the hour.

Clayton Johnson's ball from the right put him through to take a touch and apply the finish past goalkeeper Chris Crook to take the tie past the 90 minutes.

It was Bridgnorth who won out in the end and Ams joint boss John Psaras was gracious in defeat, saying: "Fair play to them, they worked very hard and hung in there.

"Going into half-time I was reasonably happy, because we were playing downhill and defending against that seemed to be our weakness, we just couldn't clear our lines.

"In the first period of extra-time, we were back doing that so we were anxious just to make it to the second period. In the end, we just couldn't get the break we needed."

In the night's other tie, giant-killers AFC Ludlow's cup run came to an end with only nine men left on the pitch in a 3-1 defeat at home to Ellesmere Rangers.

Marco Adaggio's hat-trick saw off the plucky Division Two hosts, with Danny Gower's reply at 2-0 in vain as the goalscorer was later sent off for foul and abusive language.

Jake Price was red-carded for the same offence, after his tackle sparked an argument with the man in the middle. With the score at 2-1 Adaggio had the final say to put his side through.

Ludlow manager Dave Cooper said: "I have no complaints with the result. Ellesmere were the better side on the night and we can't concede two goals like that in the first 20 minutes.

"It's best I don't comment at all on the referee, it will only get me and the club in trouble."