EARLSWOOD Town secured their place in the last 16 of the Les James Challenge Cup on penalties after they came from two goals down to force a shootout against divisional rivals Inkberrow.
The Earls looked down and out at half time before Tom Kinsey and Louis Bridges struck to take the game to penalties.
And Matt Pemberton converted the decisive penalty, after Bridges, John Palmer and Kinsey had all scored, whilst on-loan goalkeeper Tom Day pulled off a save and forced the visitors to strike the crossbar at The Pavilions.
The teams were led out by 11-year-old Darsh Santosh – who won a competition in conjunction with Tidbury Green School earlier this year to design Earlswood’s home kit.
However, Inkberrow took control of the first period as Nathan Davies’ header opened the scoring on 36 minutes before George Thomas doubled the visitors’ lead with three minutes of the half left to play.
The Earls introduced top scorer Kinsey and Palmer which firmly swung the game in the home side’s favour.
Kinsey rose highest to head home Palmer’s corner from the left on 77 minutes before the latter set up Bridges to smash home from close range with virtually the last kick of normal time.
The Earls would go on to win the shootout 4-2
Earlswood are next in action at home to tenants Barnt Green Spartak on Saturday, October 29 with kick-off at 3pm at The Pavilions.
