Chapel’s boys win penalty thriller to lift county cup
Chapel defeated Frederick Gent High School 5-4 in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at South Normanton FC’s ground to lift the under-13s trophy for the first time in the Long Lane school’s history.
Both sides had been locked at 3-3 after 90 minutes, and not even extra time could produce a winner.
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Hide AdChapel’s coach Dan Turner said: “This was a fantastic result.
“I am so proud of the lads; they played brilliantly and really pulled together as a team. It was exciting stuff!”
Chapel, who had beaten a string of high class schools in the competition’s opening rounds, took charge from the kick-off, hitting Frederick Gent with some quick tempo football in a dominant opening ten minutes.
Several early chances were missed, before in the eighth minute George Clarey broke through and played a square ball to Joe Rowlinson who found the back of the net.
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Hide AdFrederick Gent, fielding a strong midfield which included two Derby County youngsters, hit back with two quick goals to lead 2-1 at half-time, and their Alfreton-based opponents added a third soon after the restart following some sloppy marking.
A resurgent Chapel now pushed forward in the hunt for goals.
With Ethan Padden and Jacob Winfield in the centre controlling the play, a through ball to George Clarey saw him reduce the deficit, and with five minutes remaining he bagged his second with a neat flick over the keeper to force extra-time.
With no further goals, the match went to penalties. Chapel netted each of their five spot kicks, with a great save by goalkeeper Jack Meadows proving the difference in the 5-4 victory.