Defiant Uppingham Town denied by tough injury time equaliser

Uppingham Town have a right to feel robbed of a place in the next round of the PFA Senior Cup after they were beaten on penalties, practically in the dark, at Todd’s Piece on Saturday afternoon.

Will Thomas and Mark Dimech had given Uppingham a 2-0 lead over PDFL Premier Division heavyweights Wittlesey Athletic in a performance which was built on some outstanding defending.

Town withstood a barrage on their goal to take their advantage into half time but Whittlesey pushed even harder after the break and Uppingham stopper Tom Hubbard was required to make some great saves.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half before Jack Bates pulled a goal back for Whittlesey with ten minutes remaining.

Uppingham held out for anther 12 minutes but were undone deep into injury time when substitute Liam Harrold flicked a header pass Hubbard to level the scores and send the game to penalties. Whittlesey then sunk all their set-pieces to win 5-3.

Will Thomas, Jake Norton and Jamie Howe were on the mark from 12 yards out for Uppingham.

But Matt Heron, Lewis Moat, Kev Gilbert, Liam Harrold and Ricky Hailstone gave the visitors a perfect five from five record to see them advance.

Uppingham Town: Tom Hubbard, Jon Forster, Matt Hill, Jamie Dumford, Mark Dimech, Martin Bennett, Jake Norton, Jamie Howe, Rob Montgomery (Jamie Binley), Will Thomas, Dan Dumford. Subs not used: Rob Lawrie, Michael Beaver.

Whittlesey Athletic: Lewis Moat, Kev Gilbert, Jack Bates, Rikki Wilmer, Lee Corbert, Harry Jenkins, Joe Butterworth, Adam Piergialli (Liam Harrold), Don Kerrison, Matt Heron, Ricky Hailstone. Subs not used: Adam Moore, Harry Holt, Nick Conroy.