Football: Peel win Junior Cup in extra time after thrilling showdown

Late penalty save helps westerners hold on in end-to end game

Peel emerged victorious in the Ascot Hotel Junior Cup Final after a thrilling battle against Corinthians at the Bowl last night (25 May).

The western club came out 3-2 winners after extra time with the decisive goal coming with around three minutes remaining after the scores had been locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Peel were the first to get in front with just over 30 minutes gone thanks to a calm finish from Harry Pack.

But drama then followed when Corinthians man Joe Middleton was brought down in the Peel penalty area by Peel 'keeper, Ryan Tate, who was initially shown a red card for his challenge before his punishment was reduced to a caution.

Tate denied the resulting penalty, however it had to be retaken as Tate was adjudged to have encroached off his line, and at the second time of asking Nigel Moody slotted home to level the game.

1-1 at half time and it was Peel who retook the lead on 58 minutes through Alec Ecolango, but their advantage lasted only seven minutes before Joe Middleton equalised for Corinthians to make it 2-2.

Into extra time, the end-to-end action continued before the vital breakthrough in the 116th minute as Harry Pack grabbed his second of the game for Peel and the side's third on the night.

But there was to be more late drama as Corinthians won another penalty in the dying seconds, however Tate was on hand for Peel to save the resulting spot-kick before the full-time whistle blew just seconds later.

To add to Peel's success on the night, Tate also received the Man of the Match award for his performance.