Cippenham Sports crashed out of the Slough Town Junior Cup after a 4-3 penalty shoot out defeat against Phoenix Old Boy Reserves on Saturday.

Cippenham took the lead early courtesy of a stunning 30 yard free kick from Luke Batting. Phoenix drew level on the half hour from a neat finish after Cippenham had given the ball away. Five minutes later Phoenix took the lead following a sweeping move as Cippenham again lost the ball in midfield. Cippenham chances were not helped when they lost player manager Jamie Dunning through injury just before the break.

Phoenix had the first chance of the second half which Cippenham keeper Pete Collins expertly saved. From then on it was all Cippenham as Michael Bevan hit the woodwork and Paul Gardner had an effort charged down. The Phoenix keeper was then called into action saving his side with an outstretched leg. Keith Oswald saw his free header sail over the bar and then Jason Hill had an effort blocked on the line. Oswald made amends for his earlier miss when he equalised for Cippenham with a cool finish after excellent work from Hill, Batting and Stuart Phillips. Cippenham continued to spurn chances as extra time loomed.

Extra time saw Phoenix take the initiative as Cippenham began to run out of steam and ideas. Cippenham were then rocked by the loss of man of the match Hill with a dislocated knee cap. Club Secretary Simon Davis had to enter the fray and he soon became a virtual lone striker when Phillips went down with cramp. The second half of extra time was end to end stuff with each side squandering half chances. Phoenix thought they should have had a penalty in the dying seconds but there heated appeals were turned down.

Karl Oliver tucked away Cippenham’s first penalty unfortunately Bevan saw his saved. Chris Cumming and Garry Pyper converted there penalties however Collins in the meantime was unable to get a hand on any of the Phoenix penalties. It was then all down to Luke Batting but he slipped whilst taking his penalty and it ballooned over the bar.