Barton Rovers 1, Oxford City 1
(aet, Barton win 2-1 on pens) OXFORD City bowed out of the Ryman League Cup when they were denied a place in the semi-finals by some inspired goalkeeping.
Barton's Brad Gillham was outstanding during normal and extra time, and then in the penalty shoot-out, he kept out four of five City spot-kicks, Garry Smart the only success, while Rovers managed to convert two of theirs.
It was City who created the early chances, with Danny Wise and Matty Whitehead both going close.
The strong wind changed direction during the interval and with City still facing the elements, they went behind in the 49th minute as Guile sent a low drive past Alan Foster.
With the centre of the pitch becoming a quagmire, a low shot from Tate Hulbert nearly caught out Gillham, but with ten minutes left, City moved Richard Peirson up front and in the 87th minute he grabbed a deserved equaliser as he headed in a cross from Shaun Wimble. There was still time for Foster to force the tie into extra time when he brilliantly kept out a goalbound effort from Drew.
City looked the more likely side to win it in extra time. Peirson and Chris Potter saw shots cleared in of goal and Andy Smith, Potter and Dwaine Strong all had chances to clinch it.
With the players struggling to find the penalty spot in the mud, the shoot-out was always going to be a lottery. But it was to the credit of both sides that an excellent tie in atrocious conditions was played with hardly a foul throughout.
Oxford City: Foster, Smart, Dark, Peirson, Thorp, Smith, Whitehead, Sweeney (Hulbert 68), Wise (Potter 81), Strong, Wimble. Sub not used: Lee.
Story date: Wednesday 16 February
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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