CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO

FAIRLOP FC 1 FAITHFOLD DOCMM WHITE 1 (Fairlop won 5-3 on penalties)

Despite having just 11 men and a striker in goal - Fairlop's 11th different goalkeeper since they started two years ago – the east Londoners started brightly and took an early lead thanks to a delightful curling 35-yard free-kick from Ryan Cole that nestled into the top corner.

Faithfold created openings of their own, but the better of the chances fell Fairlop's way, although Cole and Daryl Rubin lacked conviction in front of goal. And they were made to pay on 88 minutes when Faithfold equalised and took the game to spot-kicks.

However, Fairlop heads did not drop for a moment and quickly regrouped for penalties and after Freedman made a save reminiscent to Jordan-Pickford’s-against-Colombia-like one-handed save at the start of the shoot-out, Ashley Rubin, Rubin, James Jaconelli, Daniel Bean and captain-for-the-day Adam Goldman were all successful from 12-yards and the hosts made it through.

Fairlop assistant-manager Sanders told JC Sport: "We were short on players today. We had three boys that could hardly walk for the final ten minutes, but in terms of the application and fight, I couldn't have physically asked more from the boys.

“The fact we conceded in the 88th minute, but still managed to score all five of our penalties moments later speaks volumes about the character of this side.

“A special mention to Max Freedman, who put in a major shift between the sticks.”