Binns goes from penalty villain to hero as City make Trophy progress

City progressed to the FA Trophy 3rd Round with a penalty shoot-out victory over Bracknell Town at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park this afternoon.

City enjoyed a bright start to the game with Mitch Beardmore looking a particular threat from the left-flank. He had the first sight of goal on eight minutes but his 20-yard shot cleared the crossbar. Ten minutes later City had the ball in the net when Luke Russe’s deflected shot was spilled by White under pressure from Brad Ash but the referee awarded a free-kick to spare the keepers’ blushes. This turned out to the only real event of note in an otherwise forgettable first half.

The second half had shown little signs of improvement but just past the hour mark the visitors took the lead. A ball in behind Ollie Tomlinson saw Hutchinson knock it past Charlie Binns then go to ground under the keeper’s challenge – the referee awarding a penalty. Bowerman’s weak spot-kick was saved by Binns but he got lucky with the rebound to slot it home. Will Jenkins Davies flashed a 69th minute shot narrowly wide and Jack Batten headed a corner just over after 77 minutes, but with Bracknell understandably looking to run the clock down at every opportunity it looked like they hold onto their narrow advantage. However, two minutes into stoppage time Jordan Alves’ cross was headed back across goal by Kieran Parselle for Owen Windsor to nod home from close range and send the tie to a shoot-out.

Jenkins Davies stepped up first, sending White the wrong way. Bowerman didn’t require an escape clause this time to make it 1-1 before Alves’ sweetly struck kick restored City’s advantage. After Hutchinson had levelled again, Joe Raynes dispatched the pick of the penalties, his rising shot brushing the underside of the crossbar. Next up for the Robins was Herbert, but Binns guessed right and saved his left-footed shot. Windsor placed his penalty into the top corner to make it 4-2 before Amartey rolled the ball down the middle to keep the tie alive. However, Ash ensured it would be City in the draw on Monday, as White could only deflect his kick into the roof of the net.