Abbey Academy boys lose cup final penalty shoot out

Barking Abbey 2-2 ShenField  PENS 3-5

Barking Abbey development squad battled hard to try and retain the Coomer cup Trophy they won pre pandemic in 2019.
Shenfield made it difficult by keeping everyone behind the ball and looking to counter-attack.

The first half was more of a chess match with both teams trying to work a goalscoring opportunity, Shenfield getting the first real chance of the match where Callum McEvoy made a smart save in the 23rd minute. Minutes later Abbey had a shout for a penalty when Zolani Dlodlo burst clear only to be tumbled over from the on-rushing Shenfield Keeper!

Second Half started much more open, Shenfield broke the deadlock and took the lead when the Abbey defense failed to mark a midfield runner who had a free header from 12 yards. Shenfield doubled their lead 5 minutes later when a mix up between Ogunoye and McEvoy allowed the Shenfield striker to nip in between the two Abbey players to slide the ball in to the empty Abbey Goal!

Abbey responded quickly and started to apply pressure on the Shenfield goal this led to Shenfield’s own defense mix up as the Shenfield defender headed an own goal. This sparked the game into life as Abbey threw everything at the Shenfield goal!

The pressure paid off again as Zolani Dlodlo brilliantly controlled an aerial pass from Michael Ogunoye just inside the Shenfield box before dropping his shoulder and sliding home the equalizer!

Abbey continued to pepper the Shenfield goal and produced two more fantastic chances to win the cup with the empty goal at his mercy, Mehdi Harun blasted over the cross bar from 10 yards. Then no more than 5 minutes later Joseph Ladega found himself with the goal at his mercy again but saw his well hit volley crash off the Shenfield cross bar!

So, the tie was to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Calum McEvoy, Jay Omotosho and Adam Ahmed all converted their penalties. Unfortunately, Zolani Dlodlo failed to hit the target and Peter Angelov’s penalty was saved to cruelly end Abbey’s dream of bringing back home the Coomer cup Trophy that had been in our trophy cabinet for the last three years!

Director of Football Carl Emberson

“The Academy Boys showed great spirit and battled back from a difficult position to nearly win it in the closing minutes. They have been competitive all season and should be proud of themselves. It’s always difficult to swallow when you lose a penalty shootout, as it will always come down to a bit of luck on the day. However, they will remember this day for the rest of their lives, to play in any Cup Final is always a special occasion.”