South Zeal Utd 3

Clyst Valley 3

( Zeal won 5-4 on penalties)

ZEAL progressed to the third round of the Bill Slee Cup on Saturday when they eventually prevailed in a penalty shoot-out.

Zeal took the lead after 15 minutes when Darren Gilbert was played through by Ben Davey down the left. After outstripping two defenders Gilbert finished with a great strike that gave the visiting keeper no chance. Clyst equalised on the half-hour when one of their strikers broke through the Zeal defence and slid the ball past the advancing Sean Sendacott.

Harley Cann put Zeal back in front just before half-time with a cool finish from close range.

There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch which made good football difficult and Clyst had it at their backs in the second half and had most of the possession early on with Zeal living off breaks from Darren Gilbert and Harley Cann.

Just as Zeal seemed to be coping, the referee awarded a free kick to Zeal, both teams moving into the Clyst half for the kick to be taken. The referee then realised he had pointed the wrong way and allowed a Clyst player to take it quickly before the Zeal defence even knew that he had reversed his decision. This soft goal made the score 2-2.

Having been given a soft goal Clyst took the lead ten minutes later when a finish from close range gave Sendacott no chance in the Zeal goal.

Zeal showed character to get back into the game when Scott Hooper broke clear down the right and hit a great shot into the far corner of the Clyst net. Sendacott was replaced by Reg Wonnacott in the Zeal goal for extra time that finished goalless although Zeal went close on several occasions to win the game.

Reg made a good save to keep the score at 4-4 during the shoot-out and when Lee Gilbert scored with Zeal's sixth penalty and Clyst hit the bar, Zeal were through to the next round.

This week Kentisbeare away, kick-off 2.15pm.