Little Paxton Panthers Year 6 Boys advanced to the second round of the Dickenson Cup following a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Crosshall Juniors.
The match was tightly contested from the outset, with both sides battling for control in an evenly matched first half. Little Paxton had several early opportunities to break the deadlock but were consistently denied by Crosshall’s impressive goalkeeper. However, with just five minutes remaining before halftime, Little Paxton’s persistence paid off when Mohale calmly slotted the ball past the keeper after finding himself through on goal.
Crosshall responded almost immediately, capitalizing on the restart to level the game at 1-1 with a well-executed finish from close range, bringing the first half to a close with both teams on even footing.
The second half continued in much the same way, with both teams creating chances but struggling to find the decisive breakthrough. Crosshall eventually seized the initiative, taking a 2-1 lead after pouncing on a loose ball in the Panthers’ box. Undeterred, Little Paxton kept pressing, and with just 10 minutes remaining, a frantic goalmouth scramble saw Ethan fire home to restore parity at 2-2.
With neither side able to find a winner before full-time, the match headed to a penalty shootout. Panthers goalkeeper Harry proved to be the hero, saving Crosshall’s first two penalties. Little Paxton kept their composure, converting all four of their spot-kicks to claim a 4-2 shootout victory and secure their place in the next round.
It was a gutsy performance from the Panthers, showcasing both their resilience and their ability to handle high-pressure situations.
