The Peacocks held their nerve to beat Beaconsfield Town 7-6 on penalties yesterday evening (13th November) after their Buildbase FA Trophy replay had ended level at 1-1 following extra time. The result now means Town will face National League South side Concord Rangers at the Viridor Stadium in the 3rd Round Qualifying on Saturday 25th November following the draw made earlier today.
An understrength Town, missing four players from Saturday, struggled to make an impression in the first half and found themselves trailing at the break after Dan Brown had put the Rams ahead from close range on 17 minutes. The Peacocks raised their game in the second half as they searched for an equaliser and they were finally rewarded six minutes from time when Matt Wright headed home Les Afful’s cross. With the scores tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, another half hour of extra time was played but despite the Peacocks being well on top they couldn’t find a winner. Both sides were successful with their first six penalties, with Les Afful, Shane White, Ryan Brett, Ollie Chamberlain, Wright and Buse all on target for Town. Beaconsfield then fired their seventh spot kick over the bar, leaving Ross Staley to fire home the deciding penalty.
Reaction | Manager Leigh Robinson remarked:” A monumental effort from the players in exceptional circumstances. We travelled with the bare bones, with only Tom Stone, who was yet to play what we deem as a fully competitive game for us, and Meaks at the ripe old age of 45 on the bench, a really long journey, fought back from a goal down against some more poor officiating, showed incredible fitness levels to dominate the second half and the entire extra time to get through to the next round. Even the shoot-out showed great character as Beaconsfield went first and kept scoring so the pressure was really on each of our penalty takers but they showed great composure. I think Wrighty said he hadn’t scored a penalty in 8 years or something like that. Massive credit to the players for the guts and desire they showed to not only win the game but secure another good payday for the club with some more invaluable prize money which keeps us ticking along lovely. Big thanks also to the supporters who made the long trip at really short notice.”
Brett Trowbridge commented:” A fantastic outcome after what was a difficult trip due to the distance and quick turnaround, meaning we were left short on numbers and playing away is always difficult. The lads dug in and proved what great character we have in this team. Wrighty scored a fabulous header to get us back into the game and it was one way traffic from then onwards and the penalties we took were excellent. We should have won the game on Saturday in truth but we got there in the end and it’s some nice prize money for the club. We hope to see lots of fans at the Viridor cheering us on in what is a great draw at home against Concord in the next round. Up The Peacocks!”