Cheltenham Town defeat Chelsea Under 21’s on penalties after a strongly fought out 0-0 draw in the Papa John’s Trophy at Whaddon Road.
Stoke City loanee Christian Norton scored the decisive penalty for the Robins as they took the extra point from Chelsea with a 5-4 shootout win.
With Chelsea already guaranteed qualification to the next round, and Cheltenham only able to finish 3rd, both managers where able to rotate their sides, giving time in the boots for fringe players.
Cheltenham started of the stronger of the two with chances for Alfie May, Andy Williams and Christian Norton all missed within the opening 10 minutes of the match.
Chelsea then started to gain some confidence with Jude Soonsup-Bell’s shot from the edge of box, straight at Owen Evans after a poor back pass from Dylan Barkers.
Charlie Webster had one of the best chances of the game with a 30th minute effort across goal which was brilliantly saved by Evans down to his left.
Another chance came for Webster in the 44th minute after brilliant play from Josh Brooking, before Webster blazed over the bar from the middle of the box.
Cheltenham came the closest of the two in the second half with a couple well struck shots from May, the later a dipping volley just over the crossbar in the 72nd minute.
With the scores level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout was needed to decide the bonus point, a new concept in the Papa John’s Trophy that allow teams to take home two points rather then one in a group match.
Both sides scored their opening penalties, making it 2-2 before Chelsea’s Lewis Baker missed his, leaving Cheltenham to score their remaining three, and take the bonus point with a 5-4 penalty after Norton’s winner.
Alfie May shows why he should still be in the mind of Michael Duff
After failing to make the starting line-up in the previous two league games against Doncaster and Morecambe, May certainly had the chance to show why he should be in consideration for the upcoming Sheffield Wednesday match on Saturday.
Being one of the most experienced players on the pitch, May was able to lead the line well for the Robins, constantly pressing the Chelsea back line, without rest.
May wasn’t able to get a goal for his side but his oozing confidence was visible to see with a couple long distance efforts, both narrowly missing.
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