THROGMORTON CUP

SECOND ROUND

Bodmin Tn 2

(Bodmin won 4-2 on penalties)

Dobwalls were playing Duchy football not so long ago – but last Saturday they showed the South West footballing fraternity how far they have come as they came within a whisker of knocking the current Throgmorton Cup holders out of the competition.

Make no mistake, Bodmin left Lantoom Park very relieved to have come through one of the hardest examinations they have encountered this season as this Cup-tie had everything for the good sized crowd.

Excellent goals, two sending offs, players stretchered off, extra-time and then penalties... the only thing missing, in true Cup tradition, was the underdog coming out on top, as Bodmin finally held their nerve to book their place in the last 16 by winning the lottery of penalties 4-2. Dobwalls' joint-manager Martin Hodge was rightly proud of his Division One West squad.

'We couldn't have done any more as the players did themselves and the club proud,' he said.

'Our main aim was to put up a good show – and nobody could argue that we didn't achieve that aim.

'The crowd could not have asked for more from their £3.00 admission fee as we took one of the best sides in the South West to the wire.

'Unfortunately, penalty shoot-outs are always a lottery – and we have yet to buy a winning ticket!'

Bodmin took a third-minute lead when Danny O'Hagan rose to head home Darren Gilbert's right-wing free-kick, but the reigning Peninsula champions were rocked as their hosts refused to lie down.

The home crowd were dancing with delight on 11 minutes when Martyn Hake made the most of hesitancy between goalkeeper Kevin Miller and his defence to fire low into the corner of the Bodmin net.

The impossible happened eight minutes later, when Dan Tapper's superb 25-yard free-kick curled over Miller, who could only watched as it sailed into the far top corner of his goal.

The game was twice held up before the break as first Gilbert and then Luke McPherson were both stretchered off. Thankfully, Gilbert was able to come back to the dug-out after the break and McPherson was able to resume playing.

Tom Chambers had headed Bodmin level within four minutes of the resumption, before player-manager Gilbert's tenure of the dug-out was brought to a premature end as he was red-carded for remarks to the referee.

He was quickly followed by Bodmin defender Sean Flynn, who also had expressed his feelings to the official in a strong manner.

Both teams then created, and missed, several chances in both normal and extra-time before Bodmin broke Dobwalls hearts in the penalty lottery.