Pens joy for Brit in Shildon hum-dinger
Division One Cup semi-finals

NORTH BRITON scraped through to the final of the Division One Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win after a thrilling eight-goal draw.

The Aycliffe side set up their final with Quinns, who beat Thorns 3-0 in the other semi, with a rollercoaster victory.

First-half goals by Mick Dixon and Paul Barnes gave the Brit a 2-0 lead going into half-time, but Shildon pulled one back through Paul Wilson 10 minutes into the second half.

Kevin Wilson then grabbed an equaliser after 65 minutes before the Brit took the lead again with 10 minutes left through Marc De Lucia.

Shildon clawed their way back into it again when Paul Wilson netted with an impressive, long-distance free-kick.

Andy Kay put the Brit 4-3 up five minutes into extra-time, but Shildon were equal to it when Chris Strong yet again pulled Shildon level to set up the shoot-out.

Brit boss Stuart Hodgson said: “It was well deserved victory, but Old Shildon never let their heads drop, and kept us under a lot of pressure.

“But all credit to my boys, who never stopped for the full 120 mins. I'm over the moon we have reached a final in what has been a very topsy turvy season!”

Shildon’s Martin Hedley said: “It was a thrilling game, it must have been a spectacle to watch as a neutral. I think if we could have nudged in front we might have gone on to win it. But credit to both sides for what was an excellent game of football.”

In the other semi, Quinns eventually beat Thorns after the two sides drew a stalemate in 90 minutes.

Extra-time goals by Craig Parker, Stephen Quinn and Martin Longthorne ensured Quinns’ second final of the campaign after they had already booked their final of the Heart Foundation Cup earlier this season.

 
17th April 2007