Penalty shootout heroics from goalkeeper Brad James saw Spennymoor Town drag themselves back from two down on Saturday to defeat Boston United and clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.
A monster comeback from Moors, spearheaded by Glen Taylor, took the game to penalties in which James produced three brilliant saves, continuing the Moors’ cup run for another round.
Boston had opened the scoring through former Darlington man Jacob Hazel, who fired home a rebound from close range early in the second half. The visitors then doubled their lead just minutes later through Jai Rowe, whose powerful header flew past James.
Moors hit back on the 66th minute through Taylor, who tucked home into the bottom left corner, before Rob Ramshaw levelled things through a low driven effort.
However, the game couldn’t be decided in normal time and had to come down to penalties, with both sets of fans cannoning to the other side of the pitch to put off the penalty takers.
Brad James, of course, is no stranger to penalty shootouts, saving a crucial sudden death penalty in the National League playoff final for Hartlepool, and he was to prove the hero again.
Taylor and Matty Dolan both converted before Olly Dyson hit the bar and Aidan Rutledge saw his spot-kick saved, but James saved from Jimmy Knowles, Sam Osborne and Zak Mills which allowed Reece Staunton to ram home his kick to send The Brewery Field into raptures and Moors into the quarter-finals.
Moors have since been drawn to play away at Sutton United in that quarter-final tie.
The sides last met when they were paired together in the FA Trophy back in January 2019 and on that occasion Moors won 3-0 at The Brewery Field thanks to goals from Glen Taylor (2) and Andrew Johnson.
The U’s are currently 10th in the National League table and defeated Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 at Aggborough on Saturday to make it through to the last eight.
“It’s an exciting draw for us and one we’ll look forward to,” said Moors boss, Graeme Lee.
“Obviously, every team would be looking at the draw and wanting a home tie, but we can go there with the pressure off us and show what we’re all about.
“It will also be another fantastic day out for our supporters and the backing they gave us in the Fourth Round at Hampton & Richmond was an important factor in our win – let’s hope they can help us do the same again.”
Quarter-final ties are due to be played on Saturday 1st March and ticket information will be confiremd on the Moors website in due course.
Meanwhile, the next round of Moors in the Community’s hugely popular Holiday Camps are all set for February – and you can book your places right now.
The Holiday Camps are usually a sell-out, so if you want your child to be part of these fun and active sessions during the February holidays then you’ll need to act fast!
The Holiday Camps are once again taking place at Spennymoor Youth & Community Centre where youngsters will be able to enjoy indoor and outdoor activities.
“Thanks to the wonderful support from principal partners UK Energy Management, we’ve been able to keep the cost down to just £5 per day (or £7.50 if you want to join us for the Breakfast Club),” said the club on its website.
To book your place or to find out more information, see the poster below.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
