Platt FC

Penalty shoot-out settles final
Platt lift cup for second year in a row

Riverhead Utd 1-1 Platt Res (aet)
(Platt won 4-3 on penalties)

Report courtesy of Derek Hodge.

A dramatic penalty shoot-out saw holders Platt Reserves successfully retain the Smith’s Charity (Intermediate) Cup at Greatness Park on Bank Holiday Monday after extra-time had failed to break the deadlock.

This is the first time in the competition’s history that a final has been decided by penalties.

Riverhead’s Anthony Wilcox and Lee Ogden both missed their spot kicks while James Petty, Robert Gilbert, Matt Allen and Andy Thompson were successful with theirs to give the Mid Kent side a 4-3 win.

However, the final never lived up to the expectations with Platt particularly disappointing. Paul Brackell and Martin Shooter were unable to stamp their authority in midfiled although in fairness Riverhead packed their own midfield with five players leaving Steve Niven as the sole front runner.

The kick-off was delayed slightly by referee Mr Graham Williams following a heavy overnight frost.

With the pitch in generally good condition neither side took advantage of the flanks although occasionally Platt’s John Pude, surprisingly withdrawn on the hour, showed some skilful touches on the ball.

In the opening minutes Pude struck a hard shot at Simon Avis which the Riverhead keeper saved at the second attempt. The opening quarter was undistinguished although Paul Padfield in the Platt goal was a commanding figure. His huge drop kicks almost reached United’s 18 yard line, but Riverhead’s centreal defender Derek Buckfield was equal to the task.

On 20 minutes Riverhead were awarded a free-kick on the right just inside the Platt half. Buckfield floated a high diagonal cross into a packed penalty area where the ball was deflected for a corner. The resultant flag kick was punched clear by Padfield but only as far as the unmarked Ogden who screwed his shot wide of the right post.

Good work in midfield by Shooter and the overlapping right back Vic Pope provided an opening for Platt’s leading goalscorer Nick Hilton, but he shot straight at Avis. Platt had another good chance soon after, but Brackell fired over the crossbar from close range.

As the Mid Kent sided mounted another attack Shooter’s effort was cleared off the line by Buckfield.

Further Platt pressure forced Malcolm Bourne into a bad clearance and as the ball spun backwards, high over a defender’s head, Avis was quickly off his line to head the ball away for a corner.

Just as Wilcox was beginning to get into advanced positions the Riverhead midfielder was injured in a clash with keeper Padfield.

At this stage Platt were struggling to get their passing game together while Riverhead, although somewhat immobile at the back, were reasonably confident in the air at dealing with long balls.

As half-time loomed a corner on the right taken by Petty eluded the Riverhead defence for Allen to head home via the underside of the crossbar.

Riverhead began the second-half brightly with the hard working Ogden almost capitalising on a half chance and then Niven just failed to get on the end of a mistake by Padfield.

It was then Platt’s turn to threaten as Pude crossed from the left to set up a chance for Allen, which he squandered and then Thompson’s mazy run from a defensive position came to an end with a timely tackle by Ian Williams.

Riverhead levelled in the 55th minute when Andy Towle converted Ogden’s cross from the corner flag although in the ensuing goalmouth melee Padfield appeared to be caught in no man’s land.

Almost immediately a nice diagonal ball by Allen split the Riverhead defence, but the unmarked Pude fired a left foot shot wide of the upright.

As rthe two sides fought for supremacy Petty and Ogden clashed for a second time and were both booked by Mr Williams. Towle was replaced by Riverhead substitute Mark Russell and Steve Arnold came on for Pude.

Riverhead’s Peter McKenzie was booked for an untimely tackle on Petty and Len Lock received a stern lecture from the referee.

Platt had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Arnold latched on to a long through ball, but as Avis hesitated coming off his goalline the sub shot wide of the target. At the other end Dave Weller cleared off his own line as Riverhead continued to press forward.

Riverhead’s second substitution Stephen Moore replaced Lock, forcing United to reshuffle their defence and was soon in the thick of the action going forward.

With extra time looking increasingly likely Avis made a couple of brave saves during the closing minutes which necessitated a treatment on one occasion after which he was able to continue.

Extra time followed a similar pattern to the previous 90 minutes with neither side in control, although the introduction of defender Robert Gilbert, returning from a four week suspension, brought some fresh urgency to the Platt team.

Gilbert provided Arnold with a chance, but his effort went wide. Shooter then shot straight at Avis while players on both sides needed treatment for cramp.

Williams required lengthy treatment to an arm injury, but despite frantic efforts by both sides to force a winner it needed a penalty shoot-out to decide the destiny of the trophy, the first time this has happened in the competition’s history.

Riverhead keeper Simon Avis’ brave performance earned him the man of the match award.

Team: P.Padfield, V.Pope, A.Thompson, D.Faulkes, D.Weller, M.Allen, P.Brackell, M.Shooter, J.Pude, N.Hilton, J.Petty.
Subs: S.Arnold, R.Gilbert