HARWICH DO THEMSELVES PROUD BUT ARE EDGED OUT OF THE VASE ON PENALTIES

There was a good atmosphere at the Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak with the match full of incident right from the kick off. Walthamstow had the edge during the first half with a couple of good chances and Shrimpers keeper Sam Felgate pulling off a super goaline save. However it was Harwich who took the lead with a cracking goal in the 35th minute when Adam Hampson's shot from outside the penalty area gave the visitors keeper Connor Sampson no chance.
In the second half the quicksiver Hampson keep the Walthamstow defence of their toes and as the excitment mounted it was anyones guess who would score the next goal. Walthamstow are a step above Harwich in the League pyramid and strong canditates to go even higher but the Shrimpers matched them with both sides very much up for the match. As the game moved into the closing stages, Harwich were battling for every ball to maintain their lead. The Shrimpers still remained dangerous in attack with Charlie Lindoe breaking through but Sampson managed to block his shot and Hampson also went close with an effort that flashed accross the goal. Walthamstow's big threat was coming from long throws into the penalty area and in the final minutes they equalised through substitute John Clements to take the match straight to a penalty shoot out,
Harwich took the first kick and Sampson saved then his teamates scored twice to give Walthamstow a 2-0 lead. However Harwich were not phased and the excitment continued as the score went to 4-4, with Felgate having got a hand to one of the visitors kicks but unable to prevent it entering the net, Lindoe, Hampson, Law and Miller having netted for the Shrimpers. Harwich had taken 5 kicks and Walthamstows 5th one gave them victory and a place in the next round.
The Harwich players had done their management team of Michael Wallace and Gary Kioussis great credit and together with Walthamstow given supporters a great cup tie.
Harwich squad: Sam Felgate, Rory Harman, Billy Latto, Elliot Johnson, Nicky Palmer, Matt Stace, Harry Miller, Harry Banner, Adam Hampson, Charlie Lindoe, Jack Higgleton. Substitutes: Les Lewis, Fabian Grosvenor, Ollie Law, Alex Taylor, Tyler Smith, Harry Windred and Charlie Pepperell.

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