Cippenham Sports crashed out of the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup following a pulsating 3-2 extra-time defeat against Britwell on Saturday.

Luke Batting gave Cippenham an early lead with a neat finish from a tight angle. Michael Bevan and Kelon McPherson had half chances to increase Cippenhams lead but Britwell had the better chances including a free kick which rattled the cross bar. However, some excellent defending and a couple of decent saves from keeper Pete Collins kept Britwell at bay.

Just after the re-start Collins pushed an effort round a post but on the hour Britwell drew level thanks to a cheeky back heel from Dean Isernia. Isernia then gave Britwell the lead when he broke Cippenhams offside trap and lobbed the advancing keeper. McPherson then outpaced the Britwell defence to bear down on goal only to slice his attempted lob well wide. Cippenham went close to restoring parity when Keith Oswald’s towering header was blocked on the line. Isernia then squandered an excellent chance, thanks in part to a nasty bobble and he was made to rue his miss when new signing Paul Gardner drew Cippenham level. Both sides pressed for a winner and in the dying minutes Bevan could have won the game for Cippenham but his goal bound effort was brilliantly blocked.

Extra time proved too much for Cippenham as injuries and lack of fitness took its toll and they failed to seriously threaten the Britwell goal. Britwell on the other hand created a number of gilt edge chances but they lacked composure in front of goal. The game was however settled early in the first half of extra time when Britwell’s Daniel Malloy headed home a pinpoint cross.

Cippenham Team: - Collins, Hancock, Dent, Oliver, Bevan, Cumming, Zaman, Batting (Phillips, 58), Gardner, Oswald, & McPherson (Dunning, 85).