Wythenshawe Town 2-2 Steels (3-4 on penalties)

Stocksbridge Park Steels came out of nowhere to force their FA Trophy match with Wythenshawe Town to penalties and then win the shoot out.

The first half was a dull affair that wasn’t going to convince anyone who was going to their first ever non-league game. Wythenshawe were able to suffocate the Steels attack, rarely allowing the visitors out of their own half. The first big chance did fall Stocksbridge’s way though as Kurtis Turner dragged a shot towards goal, with a deflection looping over the goalkeeper but wide of the goal.

But the chances started to go Wythenshawe’s way. Former professional Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro started to cause problems and he moved onto a great pass before his finish went just wide of the goal. However, he only needed the second attempt. A great ball found Luke Nock on the left wing and he sent a cross into the box for an unmarked Akpa Akpro to head in at the far post. It meant Wythenshawe were able to grab the lead before the end of the first half.

Wythenshawe started on fire in the second half and quickly doubled their lead. It was Akpa Akpro again, with the corner being whipped in from the left and the former Tranmere Rovers forward heading in at the far post.

The home side remained dominant and looked like they were going to be able to make the game completely their’s. Former Sheffield Wednesday winger George Boyd could have taken the shot himself but delayed it too often, playing it back to Nock who some how blasted it over. It all looked like it was going one way.

Stocksbridge were trying to get back into the game and got their stroke of luck. A bit of space opened up and a ball was played in from the left. Jack Haslam leaped higher than everyone else and was able to get his header into the back of the net, setting up the grandstand finish.

And then, the end the Steels fans never thought would happen just a few minutes earlier. Tom Charlesworth put in a ball that deflected off one of the Wythenshawe defenders. Just as it seemed like it was going out for a corner, Elliot Owen popped up and smashed it home from close range, giving Stocksbridge a very unlikely penalty shoot out opportunity.

Wythenshawe started the shoot out and it went wrong immediately, with Jamie Rainford’s penalty being saved by Ben Townsend. Ashley Butterworth’s penalty gave Steels the advantage, however it would be level again after Alex Hardwick missed Stocksbridge’s 2nd penalty. Stocksbridge would get the advantage again when Luke Merrill sent his spot kick over, and it seemed like the Steels had won it when Townsend saved Khuis Metz’ spot kick in the next set. However, the linesman pulled Townsend up for leaving his line, and Metz scored the second time. Townsend then stepped up himself and smacked his penalty into the bottom corner, winning the tie for Stocksbridge and sending them into the next round of the FA Trophy.