The U14 Cobras continued their cup journey with a nail-biting victory over Milford, advancing to the next round after a dramatic penalty shootout. The game began in typical Cobras fashion, with the team playing their slick passing game and racing to a comfortable 2-0 lead by halftime. A goal from Ollie, followed by an own goal, put the Cobras in a strong position, seemingly on course for another straightforward win.
However, Milford had other ideas and launched a spirited comeback in the second half. They applied pressure and were rewarded with two goals, bringing the game level at 2-2 and pushing the match into a tense penalty shootout.
The drama intensified when the Cobras missed their first penalty, giving Milford the upper hand. But the hero of the day was undoubtedly goalkeeper Seb, who delivered an outstanding performance between the posts. Seb made three crucial saves from Milford’s five spot kicks, keeping the Cobras in the game.
In a moment reminiscent of their Shield final win, Jack stepped up with confidence and slotted home the decisive penalty, sending the Cobras through with a 3-2 shootout win.
It was a hard-fought battle, but the Cobras showed resilience and composure under pressure, continuing their strong cup run. They’ll be looking to build on this momentum in the next round.
Final Score: Cobras U14 2-2 Milford (Cobras win 3-2 on penalties)
Coaches: Nick Bamford, Alex Matthews
Team sponsor: Informed Choice – independent financial planning
About Cranleigh FC
Cranleigh Football Club is an inclusive club and its youth teams welcomes boys and girls of all abilities, with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment. Coaching is based around a variety of games and exercises, following the latest FA models for player development.
The coaching models the club follows place emphasis on equal opportunities for all players, regardless of background or ability, and on participation rather than winning. All players receive equal playing time, are provided with the opportunity to play in all positions, and the coaching focus is on playing the ‘right way’, even if this has a negative impact on results in the short and medium term.
