A NEW name was etched on the Redditch United Schools Cup after Woodrush High School’s Year 8 team saw off Woodfield Academy after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Neither side had won the competition before and both teams played their part in a thrilling end-to-end encounter at the Valley Stadium.
Woodrush made a bright start with Woodfield keeper Dylan Cartwright made a good early save to prevent Woodrush from opening the scoring.
But Woodfield did score first in the tenth minute against run of play, thanks to Mason Taylor's 30-yard free kick.
Woodrush responded well and five minutes later equalised when George Clarke seized on a rebound.
In the second half, Woodfield pressed hard and saw a shot by Amaan Malik saved by goalkeeper Connor Davis.
It needed a goal-saving tackle by Daniel Martin-White to denyAliyan Razzaq.
The final then went into extra-time for the first time in its history.
After a goalless first half, Taylor seemed to have won it for Woodfield with another long-range shot, but Jacob Shepherd levelled at the death from the penalty spot.
In a tense shootout, the first four penalties were missed, Shepherd struck again to seal a 2-1 win over Woodrush.
Redditch United manager Liam McDonald presented the cup and medals, with the man-of-the-match award going to Shepherd.
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