Bedfordshire U14 Saturday Youth Challenge Cup
Luton Allstars U14 (Sat) Mambas 1 v 1 Linslade Galaxy U14 Spartak
(Spartak won 4-3 on penalties)

Spartak travelled to Marsh Farm, Luton to face familiar rivals Luton Allstars in cold but dry conditions. League results had been shared with a win apiece, so both teams knew that a quarter-final spot in the County Cup would have to be very hard earned.

With that in mind it was good to see Galaxy out the blocks the sharper and within the first minute Mali dispossessed a Luton defender in the box and the home team were lucky to scramble the ball away. However, they hadn't learnt that Mali was going to apply the high pressing ferociously and just two minutes later he took the ball away from a defender once again. This time his square pass was met by Ethan who fired home from 8 yards - the perfect start for Galaxy.

Whatever Mali had for breakfast was doing the trick as after 7 minutes his pressing led once again to the home side to lose the ball. Mali then fed the pass to Dylan whose 18 yard shot was spectacularly saved by the Luton keeper for a corner.

Whilst Spartak had the better of the first half of the first period, there was no doubt that Luton were getting stronger and they dominated the last 15 minutes of the half. This initially led to a series of long-range efforts, though only one had Thomas concerned as it narrowly flew over the bar.

Then, after 24 minutes Luton attacked down their left. Their skillful winger cut in a dangerous low cross which was smashed with such force that it was just as well it was the crossbar and not Thomas' hand that came to Linslade's rescue.

This was a frustrating period for Spartak as panicked clearances led to Luton quickly regaining possession, whilst when Spartak did have the ball they couldn't string three passes together. Two minutes before the end of the first half the Luton pressure finally told when their striker bustled into the box after a good pass and fired past Thomas to even the scores.

Galaxy were certainly the more relieved of the two teams to go into half-time with honours even.

Fortunately, the half-time period was an opportunity to regroup and refocus and again it was Spartak who had very early action in the half. With only a minute on the clock there was good work from Jack R but Ethan couldn't quite poke the ball past the goalkeeper to double his and Galaxy's tally. Then, a couple of minutes later, a corner eventually came to Dylan, but his 12 yard shot was high.

The good news from the perspective of the away supporters is that Luton could not regain their dominance at all throughout the second half and they failed to create anything meaningful to worry Thomas in goal.

Chances were equally very rare for Galaxy with the best one coming in the 29th minute. There was a fantastic bit of skill from Luke N on the left-wing as he nutmegged the Luton right-back, speeded past him and from the wing fired in a dangerous cross. Unfortunately, Jack R couldn't get the connection he wanted and this great chance went begging.

So the match finished one all, which was a fair result based on clear cut chances. The Spartak players had all worked really hard and had also shown some great skill, such as Jack J's marauding runs from defence, Dylan and Owen's passing, Caelan's control, turn and pass in two moves in dealing with a high ball, and Elliot's outside touch and roulette as he left two Luton players wondering where he had gone.

There is no extra-time in the County Cup, so the match went straight to penalties with Spartak up first. Matthew stepped forward and slotted the ball into the side netting. However Galaxy didn't score in their next two efforts with Ethan's effort saved by the keeper to his right after he guessed the right way, and then Joe's curling effort cruelly hitting the corner of the crossbar and the post.

With Luton scoring their first two penalties it looked all over for Spartak as Luton's third player strode forward. However, Thomas was equal to the strike and pulled off a great save. Then, after Luke W calmly slotted in to his right and Thomas made another save to his left the scores were suddenly level again. With one penalty left each this had become a sudden death penalty shoot out.

Dylan was Spartak's fifth penalty taker and he majestically fired down the middle of the goal to given Spartak the edge. Luton were not done yet, however, as they also scored their fifth penalty. This meant that Jack J had to step forward and in his usual style he smashed the ball high and left giving the keeper no chance.

The pressure was once again on Luton and Thomas pulled off his third save of the shoot-out to send the jubilant Galaxy players into the quarter-final of the County Cup!

Overall, this was a very tight and even game and both teams would have felt devastated in losing out, so hopefully Luton can pick themselves up for their League Cup quarter final match next week-end away at Willen.

As for Spartak, other than the Wixams performance, they have been on an upward trajectory - here's hoping that continues for the rest of the season!