Coronation Cup Semi-Final: Yetminster United 2-2 (Pens 9-8) Chard United

YETMINSTER United have progressed to the Coronation Cup final after narrowly defeating Chard United on penalties at the weekend.

The semi-final finished 2-2 after normal time and then on penalties, Yetminster won 9-8 after what was a dramatic shootout.

Things started very well for Yetminster when Ricky Rose got a 3rd minute goal after brilliant work from Bayley Pitman on the wing.

This certainly spurred Chard on and for a while the game was very end to end with Chard looking the more dangerous.

As Chard started to get into the game that bit more they found a equaliser after some good work and another good shot from the edge of the box from Bradley Davies found the net to make it 1-1.

From this point onwards Yetminster started to create some more chances and managed to force the Chard Keeper into some good saves keeping the scores level going into half time.

In the second period, Yetminster were seeing a lot of the ball but were getting frustrated after some very good defensive work from Chard.

In the 70th minute Yetminster did go back in front though after a top pass from Bayley Pitman found Carl Hall who lofted the ball into the net.

But Chard fought back once more and after some sloppy play from the home side, a free kick was awarded in a great spot.

Davies stepped up and scored the free kick in spectacular style, blasting it into the top corner from what was a difficult angle.

This was basically the last kick of the normal time and such it would go to penalties, finishing 2-2 after 90 minutes.

In brief the long penalty shootout was drawn out perhaps longer than any player or coach wanted, however both keepers were in top form.

Of the 24 penalties taken, seven were saved - three by Baker in goal for Chard and four by the Yetminster keeper.

In the end it was Yetminster who would score the winning penalty to claim the semi-final victory and advance to the Coronation Cup Final.

A strong performance from Chard, that is certain, but unfortunately the team were unable to get across the line. 

They will now turn their attention to the next match in the league at home to Barrington on Saturday, November 4. Kick off is 3pm.