TOWN BATTLE TO WIN FILEY EDGE PAST STUBBORN SLEIGHTS
“It’s a tough way to lose our unbeaten run, it’s hard to take but we’ll go again” Andy Spivey
West Pier suffered their first defeat since October 2015 as they crashed out of the North Riding County FA Saturday Challenge Cup after losing on penalties to Bedale at Sherburn.
Challenge Cup holders Pier weren’t at the races against their visitors Bedale, who were the livelier side in the first half and held a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Pier upped their game after the interval and were level on the hour-mark, Sean Exley racing onto a long punt forward from keeper Steve Sheader and finishing confidently.
Holders Pier were then left fuming after Exley was felled in the area and the referee and linesman decided to award a free-kick rather than a penalty.
The hosts were the better side in the second half and went in search of a winner, but they were hit by a hammer blow with just two minutes left on the clock as Bedale bagged a second and seemingly a place in the final.
Pier weren’t ready to relinquish their unbeaten record and grasp on the Challenge Cup too easily though and they levelled up in dramatic circumstances as Jimmy Beadle was fed the ball with his back to goal and he turned his man superbly before firing into the top corner to make it 2-2 and send the cup clash straight to penalties.
Martin Cooper, Exley, Beadle and Will Jenkinson all scored their penalties, and Sheader saved Bedale’s third spot-kick.
That gave Gary Thomas had the chance to send Pier through with the fifth penalty, but he was denied by the Bedale gloveman.
That crucial save sent the shoot-out to sudden death and although Neil Thomas kept his composure to score Pier’s sixth, Bedale converted and then Shaun Dodson skied his effort over the bar to send Bedale through. Boss Andy Spivey said: “We weren’t really at the races, but we battled back into it in the second half after they dominate early on.
“It’s a tough way to lose our unbeaten run, it’s hard to take but we’ll go again.
“We still have a lot to play for so we’ll have to bounce straight back.”
Sam Garnett stood out for Pier.