We Hate Ben again couldn't find the killer touch in the Cup to put the game to bed in normal time but found their luck run out in the penalty shootout.
We Hate Ben looked the better side throughout the match although the determined defensive display by the Sex Panthers limited the SoccerJoos chances. It is fair to note too that on the break Panthers looked good despite their numerical disadvantage, where at times the team was down by one then two players.
Changes were made from the last match with Chris Webster, Alex MacDonald and Matt L'argent coming into the defence with Jack Thomas and Ross Pope into midfield. L'argent had an excellent match, given the Man of the match award on his first start for the club. MacDonald also came out with credit while the others were solid if not spectacular. After finishing the half at 0-0, WHB conceded a goal in the second. James Naik made changes after the goal to try and get an equaliser but thankfully an Adam Edgerley effort snuck though into the feet of James Peate who duly obliged to smash in an equaliser. Peate had been very hot and cold but the goal gave him the impetus to get a winner, only seeing a couple of efforts well saved by the goalkeeper. Other players had efforts but Panthers managed to successfully limit chances to long range and got their reward for a sterling defensive performance when the match went to penalties.
We Hate Ben were to step up first and Chris Townsend scored with an excellent placed effort into the bottom left. Panthers goalkeeper converted his penalty before Hywel Williams struck a second good penalty. Panthers captain scored his before WHB Captain went to take his, seeing his poor effort saved by the goalkeeper. The remaining Panthers penalty takers scored their efforts and Ross Pope and Alex MacDonald kept the pressure on with converted strikes but in the end it didn't matter as Panthers won the shootout 5-4, going into the Semi-Final's.
A despondent Naik had this to say after the match. "I am thoroughly disapointed by the result particually after having most of the possession, shots and a two player advantage. We looked to do too much on the ball and the simple pass was not always taken, but I want to make it clear that this is not the fault of one player who missed a penalty. The team was guilty of not making their dominance count and we wasted chances again. Unlike other managers who may claim that their main focus is on the league, at least this distraction has been removed and we can make our primary aim of a top-six finish and a play-off place."
Team (4-4-1-1 then 4-4-2)
Weaver - Webster, MacDonald, Jones, L'argent - Mack, Thomas, Edgerley, Pope - Williams - Peate.
Subs: (used) Rees, England, Giessler, Dodsworth, Townsend, McSmith (unused) Shaw, Fleming.
Goals: Peate.
Man of the match: L'argent
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