Huge congratulations to everyone involved in our youth team after making club history by reaching the Third round of the FA youth cup.
A close game away at Yeovil Town on Wednesday night required extra time & then Nine (9) penalties for each side before the young Met side won 7 - 6.

A penalty converted by Luke Brant, after Ethan Chislett was brought down, gave the Blues the lead after 55 minutes. They held this lead until the 89th minute when they were caught by a long free kick. A needless foul out on the flank and the resulting kick was delivered on target and looked to be dropping just under the bar. Blues keeper, Kallum Lunn, was caught under the flight of the ball and could only claw the ball from under the bar. It dropped invitingly for sub Dion Macfoy- Johnston to smash home.

The closing minute plus added time was all Yeovil and the final whistle was a welcome relief. Extra time & the Blues changed formation going 4-4-2 and trying to win it. They created a couple of good chances & with literally the last attack & kick of the game Tane Caubo should have settled it. He was through one on one and as the keeper came out Tanes goal bound shot was somehow deflected away by the outstretched boot of the keeper.

Agony for the Blues & into a penalty shoot-out. 18 penalties were needed to separate the sides and credit specifically to Tane Caubo who showed commendable courage to step up after his last minute chance and bury his penalty. We had two kicks saved, Luke Robertson in the first 5 kicks and then we went into sudden death and the lottery of the players who did not especially want to take a penalty!

Connor Gayles stepped up and put all his considerable strength behind his spot kick which literally took off & cleared the goal and stand! Agony for him after an outstanding game and Yeovil had a chance to win the tie with their next kick.

Kallum Lunn had to save this or the Blues were out & despite going the wrong way he somehow threw out his left hand and deflected the kick away from goal. Chris Ogunlana took the blues 9th spot kick and placed it to the left & it hit the inside of the post before bouncing helpfully into the net.

Up stepped Arthur Warren for Yeovil and he struck the ball well but it soared upwards & hit the underside of the bar before bouncing down beside the post & then out.
One penalty hits the post & goes in & the next hits the bar & bounces out, so narrow is the margin between success & failure.

A thrilling cup tie & credit to both sides. I was worn out texting and tweeting updates to Youth team manager Stuart Searle & first team manager Jim Cooper!

Huge credit goes to Donovan Chislett, Paul Burnell and everyone involved in the running of our youth team. They were ably assisted for this game in the dugout by Jon Nurse and reserve team manager Ian Pendry and loud vocal support by reserve team secretary Pat Mullings!

A great night out for the club and showed the commitment throughout the entire club with numerous messages of support by several first team players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ieBP-Ou58&feature=youtu.be