by Millicent Brown

Hullbridge Sports 0
Snaresbrook Youth 0
Snaresbrook win 5-4 on penalties, U18s

THE brilliant Snaresbrook goalkeeper Toby Smyth was the hero of the day in this thrilling Ingilby Cup encounter which ended in an exciting penalty shootout.

It was a superb trademark Smyth save which saved the day for The Brook right at the end of the game, which had remained goaless after extra time.

In the shootout each of The Brook¹s five spot kickers (Robert Caine, Sam Staniford, Josh Woodcock, Charlie Gregory, and Dominic Herbert) cmanaged to slot home.

So it was down to Hullbridge to score their fifth penalty when Smyth pulled off a brilliant dive to secure Snaresbrook a place in the second round.

During normal time the teams were locked level and strikes from Brook players including Caine, Woodcock, and Ricky Briggs all failed to find the back of the net.

In the dying minutes of the second half of extra time Hullbridge looked likely to score ­ but their last chance at ending the match in their favour was lost when the shot went wide.

So it was down to penalties ­ and the expertise of England Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) international Toby Smyth finally saw Snaresbrook through to the next round.

Bishops Stortford 1
Snaresbrook Youth 2
Junior Eastern Alliance (Hertfordshire Division) U18s

SNARESBROOK Youth were at their very best during this midweek league game played in perfect conditions under floodlights.

The first name on the scoresheet was that of Robert Caine who made the most of a pass from Ricky Briggs, finding the net after just ten minutes of the first half.

Both sides had several further shots at goal, but by the time the half-time whistle was blown, the score remained 1-0 to The Brook.

Bishops Stortford equalised 20 minutes into the second half, but The Brook came through to win 2-1 thanks to a great shot from Drew Barbier shortly before the final whistle.