Army hold nerve in penalty shootout

Back then, the regimental Army side did not need them to dispense with the local Rangers, triumphing 4-1 as the domestic club football scene kicked into life in October 1893.

Yesterday at KGV the two sides finished the re-match level at a goal apiece and in a dramatic and thoroughly entertaining end to a great afternoon in the late October sunshine, the ‘Tigers’ rammed home seven of their spot-kicks to lay claim to the specially commissioned Ravenscroft Trophy to celebrate the 125th anniversary of their very first clash.

Rangers might easily have had the game wrapped up by the interval, but failed to add to Wayne Bishop’s early strike, going close on several occasions.

The Army got stronger as the game wore on and as the shootout went beyond the original five picks, they held their nerve to take the trophy home with them.

This was more about occasion than anything and for one young Ranger – keeper Reece Le Brun – he may have more to recall in his latter days than anyone else involved.

Having replaced Nick Ogier for the second half he was retained in goal for a shootout which the Army looked like winners of from the moment Zac Chatterton’s opening kick was saved.

Bang, bang, bang, bang and the Army were 4-3 up – on the verge.

Miles Hardill kept the home side alive with a successful fifth kick for the red-and-blacks, but Le Brun had to deny the next or see it go high or wide for Rangers to continue.

Le Brun saved and it was 4-4 going into sudden-death.

The keeper then grabbed the ball to take a kick of his own – and missed.

But staying centre stage, Le Brun slipped back into goal and saved another to keep his side level.

Both sides then rammed home two successful kicks apiece before recalled veteran Dave Parrott took Rangers’ ninth and saw it saved.

The next Army man in line netted and it was all over.

The Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, handed the trophy to winning skipper Lee Gidalla who had earlier levelled with a superb 30-yard free-kick.