Inter Cheadle 3, Delamere Rangers 3
(after extra time, Inter Cheadle win 4-3 on penalties)

Inter Cheadle secured a place in the last four of the Metro Cup with a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory in a cup cracker at Bridge Hall.

The game got off to a lively start with both teams battling to play in the swirling wind and rain but it was Cheadle who took the initiative on 13 minutes when Dan W slotted home cooly from 10 yards.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Delamere came straight back at the hosts and levelled with an easy tap in after some good play on the left hand side. Chances fell to both sides to take the lead but half time arrived with the scores level.

In the second period, Cheadle really took the game to Delamere and almost edged in front when a great shot from 40 yards by Max smacked against the bar.

An Inter goal looked on the cards and it arrived in the 45th minute when a brilliant through-ball by Brandon found Dan W again to slot home his second of the game. Cheadle continued to press and must have felt they had one foot in the semi finals when Tom P smashed home from just inside the area to make it 3-1 with 15 minutes remaning.

But back came Delamere and they responded almost immedately to reduce the arrears and set up a grandstand finale at 3-2. With the seconds ticking away, Cheadle failed to fully clear a throw-in and the Delamare right back chipped in a great ball to allow the visiting forward to level the tie and take it to extra time.

Ten extra minutes couldn't separate the sides so it was down to the dreaded spot kicks. Delamare stepped up to take the first and Dane made a fantastic save to give Inter an early advantage which John S cemented by scoring his penalty. The visitors made no mistake with their second but Dan W kept the pressure on with a great kick to make it 2-1 after two penalties each.

Then the real drama unfolded.

Dane got a hand to the next kick but couldn't stop it nestling in the bottom corner and the Delamere 'keeper made a great stop to deny Josh and level the scores. Then Delamere stuck away their fourth kick and watched as their 'keeper made another good stop to keep Kay's effort out.

With just one kick left for each team and Delamere leading 3-2, all they needed was to put away their final penalty.

It was struck well but Dane was equal to it and palmed it to safety, but Inter still needed to score their final one to take it to sudden death. Max expertly despatched his kick to set up the most nerve-wracking of finishes: sudden death.

As the sixth Delamere penalty left it's taker's boot the ball arrowed solidly towards the top left hand corner, but Dane incredibly managed to guess the right way and get an outstretched hand to push it away. It was a fantastically taken penalty - but an equally great save.

So up step Liam, reluctant to take a spot kick but displaying nerves of steel, he now had the job of shooting his team into the last four. After what seemed like an age waiting for the referee's whistle, Liam stepped up and cooly slotted the ball home to spark scenes of celebration amongst Inter players, coaches and parents.

Inter now meet either Poynton for a place in the final.

A special mention for the Delamere team who showed great sportsmanship at the end of tie having lost out in the cruellest possible way.

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