THE Boambee Bombers progressed to the fourth round of the Australia Cup after a 21 goal penalty shoot out against the Northern Storm last Sunday at the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park synthetic fields.

In an even contest, the Northern Storm went ahead in the first half with a headed goal from a corner kick and doubled their lead in the second half.

But the Bombers launched a comeback to level the match at 2-2 and send the game straight to penalties.

Poised at 10-10 penalties apiece, Boambee goalkeeper Kyle Wood stepped up to the penalty spot, kicked away the excess water and calmly slotted home to the bottom right.

The Bombers exploded into celebration as Kyle Wood gave a big swan dive towards his europhic teammates.

Boambee coach Robert Fitzgerald applauded the positive attitude that kept his team in the game.

“It was a great opportunity to come up against a fellow CPL side in what is realistically our first real hit out of 2022.

“Although we are coming off a very disrupted pre-season and the boys are still forming combinations on the pitch and coming up to full match fitness, what has pleased me the most has been the attitude within the team which has been nothing less than fantastic.

“It was that positive attitude that kept us in the game when we went behind on the scoreboard and that positive attitude that clawed us back to level pegging, super proud of the lads in this regard.

“We were able to stretch them across the park and were quick in our transitions, which continually applied pressure to their defence and frustrated their attacks.

“We were unlucky not to bag a few more goals, the woodwork denying us more than once along with several top class saves from the Northern Storm keeper.

“The penalty shootout, well, what a crazy and entertaining way to end a game of football.

“Next up we face Oxley Vale Attunga in round four who are in a league of their own in the Inland comp, so we won’t be underestimating them,” said Robert.

Northern Storm coach Eric McCarthy said it was a tough way to go out of the Cup.

“We had a tough FFA Cup draw for the opening round, hopefully Boambee felt the same for the first kick of a ball for the season.

“I thought it was a good game, great for the spectators where both sides played some fast and tidy football at times.

“I was pleased with how my team played considering it’s an entirely new starting eleven compared to last year’s campaign.

“We were firmly in control and at 2-0 up until Tom Sweeny’s red card put us under massive pressure for the last 35 minutes.

“Penny’s tussle in the box where he went down gave the referee a tough call to make, it’s one of those 50/50 calls, some days it’s a penalty, some days it’s not.

“That goal lifted Boambee and unfortunately the lads couldn’t hold them with ten players.

“A thrilling 11-10 shoot out is always exciting, but it’s a tough way to lose.

“Charlie Shipperlee was so unlucky, got his hand to numerous penalties but with wet and windy conditions couldn’t keep them out.

“Good luck to Boambee in the next round, they’re a decent side and there’s no shame in getting dumped out by them,” said Eric.

 

By David WIGLEY