PORLOCK are through to the semi finals of the Somerset Junior Cup after beating Clevedon Reserves in a penalty shoot-out following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

With the weather playing havoc ,the game was played in Bridgwater. The opening 15 minutes were very nervy, however, it was Clevedon who struck first as a long throw caused trouble and the ball was tapped past ‘keeper Darren Sherring, Clevedon had got a foothold on the game and soon after doubled their lead.

Porlock finally started playing better football and Adam Langdon whipped a pin point cross into the box where Ollie Morris headed the ball down for Caleb Laney to tap in the empty net. However, the linesman had his flag up and the ‘goal’ was ruled offside so it remained 2-0 at the break.

Porlock came out of the blocks sharp and were throwing players forward at will but yet again a long ball troubled the West Somerset side’s back line. Another free kick was given on the edge of the box, from which Clevedon added a third.

With a three goal lead Clevedon side started to run the time down at every opportunity, making it hard for Porlock to break them down.

Porlock made changes and the new introductions brought a fresh life as they had now started finding the gaps in the Clevedon low block. Into the last 15 minutes Porlock knew it was now or never if a fightback was to be staged. A long throw deep in the Clevedon half was nodded past the goalkeeper by Mikey Mullen to put Porlock back into the game.

Five minutes later a corner was whipped in which was headed out to the edge of the box where Ollie Morris was waiting and volleyed the ball in to the top corner to put the game at 3-2.

Porlock were high on hope with Clevedon looking like a shadow of the side they were only 10 minutes before hand. The Porlock team knew they had to take full advantage of the momentum and when another long throw was delivered into the Clevedon box Harry Kivell scored a beauty to level the scores - the comeback was complete, with only minutes to spare.

The referee blew the final whistle, to take the tie to spot kicks. The penalties were a replica of the game of high and lows with both teams making mistakes and the other not being able to capitalise on them.

With it still being all square after the first five the teams headed for sudden death. A further 14 penalties were taken as the shoot out had reached the first two takers again.

Clevedon scored when Jari High stepped up and after missing his first penalty wrapped it past the keeper. The Clevedon centre back stepped up next and a finger tip save onto the crossbar from Sherring meant all Ollie Morris had to do was score to secure a tremendous comeback from victory. He walked up calmly placed the ball down and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner to send Porlock into the next round of the county cup. Player of the Match: Darren Sherring.

Porlock: Darren Sherring, Mike Mullen, Harry Kivell, Ryan Parsons, Declan Paterson, Cody Truscott, Ollie Morris, Adam Langdon(c),Braden Taylor,Caleb Laney,Jari High. Substitutes: Charlie Dodd, Joe Fitzsimmons, Chris James, Jack Evans