Loddon win shoot-out

Acle United 0, Loddon United 0 (aet, Loddon won 3-4 on pens)

LODDON travelled to Acle for this Mummery Cup tie on a miserable, dark and damp afternoon. The game was not much better, Loddon scraping through by the skin of their teeth.

Loddon slept for the first five minutes as Acle had a driven effort from an acute angle off target and a cheeky chip dealt with by Collins.

It was not until the sixth minute that Loddon got into the Acle half when Oliver won a free-kick, but Wright fired it high and wide. Wright then went on a run into the box, had his shirt pulled, but as he kept the ball the ref played advantage.

Andersen crossed, Marjoribanks should have gone for the header but tried to control and the chance was gone. Hancock then had a speculative shot from well out as Loddon forced their way into the game.

Baylis and Andersen did well at the back, Gricks then won the ball in midfield and sent Wright away and Hancock came close to connecting with the cross.

Andersen again made a telling interception and Shipley closed down to prevent a shot as Loddon took the upper hand.

On 25 minutes Loddon had a good spell of pressure without an attempt on goal, and at the other end Acle took a quick free-kick but Collins bravely went to ground to smother the attack.

Ricky Summons won a free-kick from which Way went close, Woodman paid close attention to the opposition's attire, and Gricks played a lovely ball into the path of Hancock, who shot straight at the keeper.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Way missed his tackle and Acle's shot hit the woodwork and luckily fell to Collins.

Acle had another strike blocked by Shipley and another saved well by Collins as Acle had their period of dominance.

Andersen hoisted a free-kick into the box where Baylis saw his header come off the bar and cleared. Way went close from the resultant corner. Acle came back and shot just wide before the half-time whistle.

Acle dominated the early exchanges and had a shot over, one well saved and one wide.

Shipley found Oliver who headed on to Marjoribanks but he could not capitalise. Acle came back with a cross from the left which Andersen headed dangerously close to his own goal.

Gricks found Marjoribanks who laid it back to Summons, he sliced his shot wide. That was Ricky Summons' last involvement and he was replaced by brother Gary.

Loddon then had a big let off. Collins made another good save, but then Way appeared to bring down an Acle forward in the box, but he was then booked for diving. In fairness to Acle it looked a penalty.

Two minutes later Way had a shot following a corner but only found the keeper. Gricks played a back pass rather short but Collins blocked well.

Acle put on more pressure as Collins again had to block bravely. Gary Summons then found Hancock, who linked with Marjoribanks. The keeper messed up his clearance and Marjoribanks' first-time effort was just wide.

Baylis and Andersen defended well again and a shot from 25 yards was tipped wide by Collins. Shipley dived to head the corner clear.

Hancock did really well to create a crossing chance, Marjoribanks rose well but his downward header was scraped clear.

Wright found Oliver, who was fouled on the edge of the box to give Loddon a chance with five minutes left. Oliver wasted the opportunity when he should at least have tested the keeper, and extra time beckoned.

Ten minutes each way saw little in the way of real chances. Rolfe came on for Gricks and deep into the second spell, the home keeper flapped at a cross, the ball came off the bar and somehow Oliver was unable to get a touch.

The tie had to be decided on penalties: Wright, Marjoribanks, Oliver and Gary Summons scored, and Collins made a great save to put Loddon through 4-3.

Collins was an obvious candidate, but the Musker Mcintyre MoM goes to Robin Andersen.

Team: Collins; Shipley, Way, Baylis, Andersen R; Hancock, Gricks, Summons R, Wright; Marjoribanks, Oliver. Subs: Summons G, Rolfe.