Penalty pain denies Stourport hockey side place in National Cup final
Despite coming back from two goals down to level the scores at 2-2 at full time, Stourport Mens Over 55's missed out on a place in the National Cup Final for the second year running when they went out 4-5 after penalties to their visitors Reading over the weekend.
Stourport started well, dominating the early exchanges with David Stokes, Tom White, and Martin Oates taking charge of the midfield, allowing David Knott, Neil Farquason and Tim Wood to create some early chances. However, it was Reading that took the lead with a well-taken breakaway goal, midway through the half, which changed the momentum, and despite Stourport continuing to create opportunities, they weren't able to find the back of the Reading net.
Stourport may have been unable to find the net, but Reading could squeeze another goal before the half-time break.
Reading pushed forward in the second half, but some resolute defending from Steve Ellis and Dom Roberts, and two outstanding saves from the keeper and captain, Simon Thompson, gave Stourport the belief that they could close the gap. And, after 20 minutes, Knott converted a short corner to raise hopes of Stourport's revival in the last 15 minutes.
Stourport's hopes were well-founded as Knott again scored an equaliser from a short corner in the last five minutes to pull the scores level and to tie the match. With no extra time allowed for in the competition rules, the match was decided on penalties, which the Stourport side narrowly missed in a nail-biting sudden death phase of the first phase of five, which couldn't separate the two teams.