Magpies soar into Shield final after shootout drama
Loxwood booked their place in the SCFL Premier Division Supplementary Shield final with a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout win over Newhaven at Worthing’s Woodside Road in the semis on Saturday.
A penalty apiece from Ian Robinson and the Magpies’ Luke Brodie saw the scores level at the break.
Lukas Franzen-Jones restored the Dockers’ lead five minutes in to the second half.
But, at the death, Jack Frankland’s cross found Tadley Bromage who powered home to force penalties.
The Magpies converted their opening three penalties while Fraser Trigwell kept out Newhaven’s opener.
But Loxwood contrived to miss their next two penalties as Haven drew level.
Needing to score their last spot-kick to go through, Trigwell pulled off a fantastic save to deny Haven and force sudden death.
Sudden death saw both teams net four penalties apiece. Loxwood slotted home their fifth, meaning Newhaven had to score.
But Trigwell pulled off another top stop to keep out Haven and secure the Magpies’ place in the final.
Loxwood will play the winners of last night’s game between Lancing and Lingfield.
Magpies manager Spencer Slaughter said: “I am over the moon to have won against a strong Newhaven team and really excited for the final and proud of the lads’ hard work.
Loxwood chairman Mark Lacey added: “I am so proud of the lads. It is fully deserved. It has been a tough time with the pandemic and everyone’s mental health.”
Newhaven were awarded a spot-kick on 16 minutes after Ned Pierre pushed Kyle Woolven in the area. Robinson stepped up and converted.
Twenty minutes later, Loxwood’s Mark Goldson was brought down in the box by Dockers keeper Jake Buss.
Referee Peter Dingle caused confusion for both teams by first booking Goldson for diving, before consulting his assistant and awarding a penalty.
Brodie made no mistake form the spot to level things up.
A long ball over the Magpies defence found Franzen-Jones on 50 minutes, who hit a dipping first time shot that left Trigwell no chance.
But Loxwood started to exert pressure and were rewarded in the games’ dying embers when Bromage rose highest to head home and force the shootout.