BEDFORSHIRE COUNTY CUP - U15 SATURDAYS
Barton Rovers Youth U15 3v3 (2-4 pens) Linslade Galaxy U15 Spartak

The match kicked off in showery conditions but the pitch was in good condition as both teams looked to progress to the semi finals of the Beds County Cup. Fortunately, whilst the pitch churned up a little by the end, the rain mostly held off to allow for a cup match that proved to be full of drama.

There was not much early action as both teams looked to find their groove after several weeks off during the Christmas and New Year period.

Suddenly out of nowhere Galaxy found themselves behind. Blake and Jack J tried to play it out of defence from a goal kick, but Barton knicked the ball and a simple ball to a teammate led to a shot that gave Thomas no chance and an early lead for the home side.

Whilst then followed some Galaxy pressure this didn't lead to any shots and it was Barton who had the next couple of dangerous moments. Firstly, on 14 minutes, Barton were through on goal but Thomas made himself large and blocked the shot with his legs. Then, just one minute later another Barton counterattack required Thomas to save with his legs and the ball bounced out for a corner. Thomas had certainly kept Linslade in the tie with these fine saves.

On the 17th minute mark Spartak produced their first moment of real quality. Ethan picked up the pass from the back and did a delightful ball across the pitch into the path of Jack R who slotted the ball home into the bottom corner to bring the scores level. A fine goal.

The first 20 minutes saw the action ebb and flow from box to box. In one dangerous moment for Spartak Barton had a free kick from 20 yards which was scuffed and hit the mass of bodies in the box and ricocheted just past the post. Not long later there was strong work from Blake and Ethan but the latter's shot was fired wide.

And then, just as the first half was drawing to a close Ethan got another assist as he slipped the ball through to Theo who as he approached even closer to the goal eventually fired home from 4 yards.

The first half ended with Galaxy a goal up. Overall, the first half was quite even with both teams creating chances. Spartak started slowly and looked rusty after a period of no football, but began to have more of the possession and territorial advantage as the first half progressed. However, both teams knew that a half of football is a long time and a lot can change.

In the second half Galaxy really demonstrated that they were the best footballing team on the pitch. There was some lovely interplay passing, particularly down the right and the Barton left-back simply could not handle Niall's attacking runs down the wing and into the box.

Spartak also had quite a number of second half corners. The first of these was on the fourth minute when a corner was floated in from the left. Ethan came in late but couldn't connect. Not long after it was Owen's turn to deliver the corner, which Tycho flicked on past the post.

Meanwhile Barton showed they were more than capable of attacking and in the early stages of the second half had a couple of corners of their own, but whilst the first created some hairy moments, the second was cleared easily.

Luke W was also having a better second half and after 17 minutes there was some great movement and passing from him. The ball reached Owen in the box but his shot was not hit with enough power to trouble the keeper.

After 25 minutes there was a fantastic fast attack down the right as Tycho passed to Niall and he curled the ball forward to Ethan who smashed his effort from the right-hand side just high.

Then in a four minute period with around 10 minutes left to play Barton were awarded two free-kicks that looked to have completely changed the outcome of the match. The first saw Barton lift the ball into the box from 25 yards out. It fell to a Barton player to score from just outside the 6-yard box. The match was level again with just 12 minutes left to play.

Then, another free kick was given by the referee in favour of Barton as Thomas was judged to have handled the ball outside the box before getting his kick away. The free kick from 18 yards was drilled home to give Barton the lead.

To their credit Spartak did not let these decisions or the sudden change to the scoreline prevent them from continuing their neat passing-led attacks. It seemed as if this was the end of the County cup road for Linslade as they fired in several corners but Barton defended resolutely. Eventually, however, one came off and the ball came out and then back into the box where Luke W showed amazing composure to control the ball and fire home from a very tight angle.

That proved to be the last kick of the match and Spartak had survived to contest a penalty shoot out by the skin of their teeth.

The penalty shoot out ended up being a one-sided affair with Galaxy progressing 2-4. Barton failed to convert two out of their first three penalties (a save from Thomas and one over the bar), whilst Dylan, Joseph, Luke W and Blake all scored to give Spartak a 100% conversion rate. The Barton goalkeeper had managed to get his fingers to the efforts from Joseph and Luke W, but not enough to stop them from going in.

So Spartak remain the penalty kings as they knock out Barton for the second time in two seasons on penalties. Galaxy are in the semi final of the County Cup and just one match away from a second successive final appearance!