Street seal shoot-out success to make FA Youth Cup progress at United’s expense
United 1 – 1 Street (Street win 5-4 on penalties)
Torquay United’s FA Youth Cup journey ended on Monday evening, as Street came out on top after a gripping cup tie at Plainmoor.
Although the first 45 minutes failed to a goal, it certainly wasn’t without incident.
The first chance fell to the visitors following a sixth minute corner, although the Street forward was unable to keep his shot down, and blazed his effort over the crossbar.
Three minutes later saw United go close with their first foray into the Street box. A low ball across the face of goal was diverted away from inside the six-yard box, just before a yellow shirt could prod the ball home.
The Young Gulls grew in confidence following that, with United striker White flashing a header wide of the target on 14 minutes.
An unfortunate injury to Torquay glovesman Callum Yeates just short of the half-hour gave substitute stopper Mackenzie Stokes an unexpected taste of action, and it wasn’t long before he was warmed up.
On 43 minutes, Stokes produced heroics to retain parity for his side, as he produced a remarkable parry to keep the ball out from point-blank range.
The second half was only a few seconds old when United were on the front foot once more though, as a tempting ball from the left flank saw a number of Young Gulls slide towards goal in a bid to steer the ball home, only to see the ball zip past the far post.
For a period thereafter, it was Street that took control, with Stokes called into a number of fine saves to keep United in the game.
With the visiting side enjoying more and more of the ball as the half wore on, some of the 350+ inside Plainmoor may have feared the worst when Street opened the scoring on 65 minutes, as Sam Tisdale headed home following a corner.
Street went in search of a second to clinch the tie, but the Gulls hung in there – and duly got their reward with six minutes left.
A neat ball from Aidan Edwards gave substitute Jack Rowell something to chase, and despite being forced slightly wide of goal, his powerful rising drive had too much on it for Street goalkeeper Sari Chaltain, who could only parry the ball into the back of the net.
1-1 at 90 minutes, and therefore onto penalties.
The two sides had richly entertained the Plainmoor faithful, and the shoot-out that followed was no less enthralling.
Sadly, Chaltain’s save from Edwards was the only spot-kick that failed to find the back of the net, meaning it was Street – rather than United – that progressed through to the next round.
Attendance: 351
