WHITECROFT 0, LIPHOOK 0

(Liphook won 3-2 on pens)

LIPHOOK have a Hampshire Intermediate Cup quarter-final to look forward to after winning a tense penalty shoot-out on the Isle of Wight.

The pitch survived an 8am inspection on a day when so many matches were postponed and Liphook had a tough task on their hands against Whitecroft & Barton Sports who are currently second in the Isle of Wight League Division One.

And the Islanders started strongly, almost taking the lead when Liphook’s defence failed to cut out a cross from Paul O’Connor and Freddie Knowles shot wide from a tight angle.

W&B continued to press. Liphook keeper Chris Martin saved well from Josh Appell and then, from a corner, Charlie Shaw’s header was cleared off the line.

Liphook, former cup winners, weathered the storm, though, and came more into the game. Steve Harding was high with an attempted chip as Gareth True strayed off his line and Sam Gray’s 25-yard effort was just wide. Neat play saw Harding return the ball to Marcus Bedford who shot over the bar from a good position.

In the second half, both teams impressed with their approach play, while still lacking the end product. Harding and then Whitecroft’s Matt Evans just failed to get on the end of dangerous crosses.

George House could have put Liphook ahead from a corner, but his shot was headed off the line by Luke Lambert, while Ricky Long made an equally important clearance at the other end.

It remained goalless at full time and the tie went straight into a shoot-out.

The rain got heavier as penalties began. The first two were converted, but only two of the next ten kicks went in as nerves got the better of the players. Seven of them gave the keepers routine saves.

Liphook’s Ryan Angear sent True the wrong way to level things up at 2-2 and so it went to sudden death.

Eventually, substitute Alex Elcombe’s penalty crashed in off the underside of the bar. Harry Ovnik hit the post with the next kick, and Liphook were through.

Liphook: Martin, Angear, Covey, Yates, Long, Burton (Hutchins 89), Josh Marshall (Johnny Marshall 60), Gray, House, Harding, Bedford (Elcombe 53).