Both sides more than played their part in a thoroughly entertaining contest at the Alfred Hall Memorial Ground – ending the 90 minutes tied together at 2-2. Billy Gillies and Josh Parker had combined to twice recover the Greens back to level terms after goals from Jordan Stevenson and Dan Hammer had twice had the hosts in front. The Greens will feel like penalties were tough way to exit the competition after another spirited and enjoyable performance, Finlay Armond and Liam Flitton missing the crucial spot kicks as the Greens exited the League Cup at the first hurdle for a second consecutive season.

Player/Manager Tom Ward made four changes to the side that defeated Skegness Town in Premier Division North action on Wednesday evening, including dropping himself to the bench in the place of Lewis Smalley. Both Joe Smith and Jake Henderson were absent while one of Wednesday’s star performers Finlay Armond was also rested on the bench. In their places came Ainslie Harrison, Mitchell Clogg and Tom Waumsley, that trio ascending from places on the bench on Wednesday evening, Hosts Eynesbury meanwhile were defeated 1-0 at March Town in Premier Division South action on Tuesday evening and they made three changes themselves from that side, Oliver Brooks, Ryan Hunter and Marcel Rzeszutek dropping out of the side with Jordan Stevenson, Fraelias Mienambolo and Jonny Hall all coming in.

It was hosts Eynesbury who enjoyed the best of the opening half in Cambridgeshire and could have led inside two minutes when Nathan Mullings was denied by the feet of Liam Flitton. The lively Victor Osobu was stretching his legs for the first time after five minutes, setting up Dan Hammer who blasted over the bar.

Warnings signs were not heeded, and the hosts deservedly led inside 11 minutes when Osobu left Max Ward trailing in his wake, crossing for Jordan Stevenson to tap home at close range. Those two men combined again five minutes later, but Stevenson couldn’t connect with Osobu’s cross, and the hosts were to rue their profligacy in front of goal when the Greens equalised midway through the first half, Billy Gillies executing some lovely hold up play before sliding Josh Parker through on goal who smartly poked beyond Reece Lewis in the Eynesbury goal to haul the Greens level.

Almost instantly, Flitton was back in action at the other end, required to beat away Mullings powerful drive before he employed his feet to good effect once again to block from Osobu. Billy Gillies could have added to his assist when he tried to catch keeper Lewis out after he’d strayed out of his area, but the Eynesbury custodian was quickly back on his line. The Greens best opportunity for a second goal came when Mitchell Clogg and Josh Parker combined to good effect, the former heading directly into Lewis’ hands on the stroke of half time.

Within two minutes of the restart, the Greens found themselves behind once again when Jonny Hall crossed into the path of the impressive Osobu who turned well to set up Dan Hammer at the back post to smash home at close range. The Greens response was, almost instantaneous though and it was the dangerous combination of Billy Gillies and Josh Parker who came good for the Greens once again, the former slotting Parker through again to coolly slot a second leveller beyond the reach of Lewis in the Eynesbury goal.

Lewis was quickly back in action a few moments later, saving excellently from Mitchell Clogg’s long-range freekick before the hosts went close themselves, Osobu crashing the post before seeing his follow up effort a few moments later saved in stunning fashion by Flitton. The Greens custodian was in action again 10-minutes later, forcing a fine catch from Richard Chadwick’s header before Billy Gillies tame freekick was scooped up by Lewis in the Eynesbury goal. Lewis was in the right place again in stoppage time, beating aside from Finlay Armond’s effort following determined work from Charlie Ward.

Armond was to be one of the significant names in the shootout too, crashing the crossbar with his penalty as the Greens ultimately slipped out of the competition on penalties – Liam Flitton the other man unsuccessful from the spot.

Words: Oliver Atkin