Somerset County League Cup final

Bridgwater Town Reserves 2, Shirehampton 2 (AET)

Bridgwater Town Reserves won 4-2 on penalties

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves beat Premier Division champions Shirehampton on penalties to clinch the Somerset County League Cup at Street FC on Thursday night.

Tyne Govier’s late penalty rescued a 2-2 draw for Town in normal time, after Chris Young had given them the lead inside five minutes – and after a goalless extra-time period, the tie went to a penalty shootout.

Harry Horton saw his penalty saved well by the Shirehampton keeper, before Brimson blazed his penalty over the bar.

Both sides then scored their next two penalties with Tyne Govier and Josh White both scoring for Bridgwater.

Tom Holder then struck home Bridgwater's fourth with a coolly converted effort, before Josh Hayward in the Bridgwater goal pulled off a magnificent save.

Mike Duffy then stepped up to confidently lash home the winning penalty and spark mass celebrations from the Bridgwater team.

Bridgwater made an excellent start and took the lead after only five minutes when the in-form Lee Villis burst down the left, beat his man and found forward Chris Young who converted from close range.

15 minutes in and against the run of play Shirehampton were back on level terms when Bridgwater failed to deal with a cross from deep and the ball way bundled home from close range.

On 80 minutes, Shirehampton went ahead after Bridgwater were caught on the ball and former Town forward George Brimson burst through to calmly slot home.

With a minute left of normal time substitute Owen Sellick cut beat his man and cut inside to feed Lee Villis who was unceremoniously bundled to the ground six yards out.

The referee pointed to the spot and the Shirehampton defender was given a second yellow card.

Bridgwater's experienced defender Tyne Govier stepped up to blast home the resultant penalty and take the game into extra-time.

With a man advantage, Bridgwater dominated possession and territory but Shirehampton remained a threat on the break, but neither side was able to find the winning goal.

But after Hayward’s heroic save in the shootout, Duffy stepped forward to fire home from 12 yards and seal a memorable win for Bridgwater Town Reserves.