Cheshunt FC narrowly lost out to Billericay Town FC on penalties at Theobalds Lane Stadium in the Fourth Round of the Velocity Trophy.
After a hard-fought 1 - 1 draw and nine, near perfect penalties, Solomon Baugh was the first unfortunate player not to score, as his attempt was well saved by Billericay goalkeeper Stefan Lamacq. The visistors’ 5 - 4 win on penalties saw them progress through to the Velocity Trophy’s Quarter Finals stage, with Cheshunt bowing out.
The hosts started the game brightly and took the lead in just the third minute, when Nnamdi Nwachuku coolly slotted the ball through the legs of the onrushing Lamacq. In a first half of relatively few clear-cut chances, Billericay dominated the ball, but failed to really test Joe Rose in the Cheshunt goal, whilst the hosts continued to look threatening on the break and almost doubled their lead when Dejon Noel-Williams was denied from close range by Lamacq.
Despite the conditions worsening with rain pouring down and swirling wind, Cheshunt started the second half strongly and had multiple chances to put the game beyond the visistors. First Nathaniel Orafu’s swerving strike came crashing back off the crossbar, before Antonis Vasiliou struck the ball straight at Lamacq, when the goal was at his mercy.
As the second-half continued, Billericay grew stronger and should have levelled the tie when Moses Emmanuel squeezed an effort just wide of the Cheshunt goal. However, the visistors were eventually rewarded when Alfie Cerulli swept home an impressive right-footed effort, after being well found on the corner of the box.
The last action of normal time saw Jamie Reynolds go agonisingly close to a Cheshunt winner, only for Lamacq to tip another Cheshunt attempt behind. With the match still level at full-time, it was to be decided by the ultimate test of nerve within football that is penalties. The first four penalties for both sides were dispatched confidently and when Emmanuel placed Billericay’s fifth past the outstretched fingertips of Rose, Baugh had to score for Cheshunt. His weak effort was anticipated and saved by Lamacq, causing joyous scenes for the away players and fans alike, as Billericay progressed to the Quarter Finals.
Next time out, Cheshunt host Whitehawk FC in an important clash in the bottom half of the Isthmian Premier League, whilst Billericay travel to Bognor Regis hoping to close the gap to Hornchurch FC at the top of the division.
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