Lydd Town: 1 Tooting Bec: 1
(Lydd win 5-4 on penalties )
Great weather and a bumper crowd witnessed a day in history for the mighty ‘Lydders’ as they sealed promotion to the premier division of the Southern Counties East League amidst the tensions of a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
In a tense and physical game that saw both sides creating chances in the first half, it was Lydd who drew first blood when midfielder James Rogers headed home in the 13th minute following a long throw-in from Troy Howard.
Striker Luke Burdon then surged through from the left flank but his shot under pressure from defenders struck the upright and Josh Hastings was unable to follow up the rebound.
Tooting fought their way back into contention with some well-drilled set pieces and it was no surprise when Tom Harland–Goddard blasted home an equaliser just moments before half-time.
Lydd were under pressure as the second half got underway and were sent reeling when scorer James Rogers received a dubious red card for a challenge that should have received no more than a word of warning. Down to ten men, and Lydd began their bravest battle of the season. Tooting piled on the pressure but with no joy as the Lydd defence stood firm and fine goalkeeping from Craig Smith defied the efforts of the Tooting broadsides.
Hoping fresh legs would make a difference, manager Mickey Doyle made a series of substitutions, Richard Atkins for Troy Howard and Jarred Trespaderne for Josh Hastings.
Tooting continued applying the pressure and their latest attack had the crowd gasping, as a flying save from Smith, tipped a goal-bound header around the post.
Lydd centre-back Kenny Pogue was substituted by Calvin Sedenu and as full-time approached the daunting prospect of a penalty shoot-out seemed inevitable.
With all the drama of an England international, the teams took up their position at the goal farthest from the clubhouse. Lydd keeper Craig Smith was the first to save, diving to his right, and putting the pressure on Tooting, but their keeper, Zdenek Malachek, made a fine save to make it 4-4 at the end of the allocated five shots each. So sudden death. First shot to Lydd. Goal. Then Tooting. Craig Smith dived to his right again and saved the shot from a distraught Tom Harland-Goddard, winning the match and promotion for Lydd, and the man of the match award for himself.
After the celebrations, manager Mickey Doyle told Rye News: “The game was a tight one made even harder for us after the sending-off, but we have a great squad of players, and games like these are all about moments. Our players took their moment today, and Craig Smith was just great, and thoroughly deserved the man of the match.
It’s been a long hard season and I’d like to thank all the players, the volunteers, all the fans, and our great chairman, Pat Lindsey, who has backed me time and again, even after a few heavy defeats. Skipper Ryan Smith has been superb on and off the pitch, and we would not have achieved this without him.
Now it’s time for a break. Personally, I’m going to forget about football for a while and spend time with my family who sacrifice so much and allow me the time to devote to the game.”
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .