GFA Junior County Cup Quarter Final

Minchinhampton FC 1

Cam Bulldogs Reserves 1 (1-3 on penalties)

Minchinhampton bowed out of the quarter-finals of the County Cup on penalties for the second successive season, losing a penalty shootout after a hard-fought and feisty contest with Cam Bulldogs.

The first half saw Minchinhampton in the ascendancy and despite fashioning a number of good chances they only had the one goal to show for their endeavours. The goal came after a driving run and long range shot from Ollie Portlock was latched on by Jack Hornsby and diverted across the keeper and into the net.

The second period saw a lacklustre Minchinhampton performance and a strengthening Cam Bulldogs showing. Gradually the visitors began to take the game to their hosts and but without really troubling the Minchinhampton goal.

A long throw into the box should have given the home side warning but soon after another long throw in was not dealt with and with keeper, James Crowest, coming for the ball he was beaten to it by a Cam Bulldogs player who looped a header over him and into the net. Woken from their slumber, Minchinhampton changed their shape and launched a late charge.

A big penalty appeal for the home side was waved away in the dying seconds and the game moved on to a penalty shoot-out.

As in the previous two rounds, the Cam Bulldogs keeper, Ryan Chandler, was the hero saving penalties from Brad Bird, Rob Walker and Jamie Lees and taking his side through to the semi finals.

Men-of-the-match: Riki Noble for Minchinhampton and Ryan Chandler for Cam Bulldogs.