Bletchingley need penalties to see off Oxted

Bletchingley edged out Oxted and District on penalties after 120 minutes of full-blooded football.

Oxted's run of bad luck continued when Michael Bamforth was injured in the warm-up and as they fought on weathering the storm, Bletch scored twice through Justin Stott and Kevin Penalver.

Oxted played their way back into the game after the break, Tim Digby scoring with a fine lob over the advancing keeper and soon after, Simon Norton levelled for Oxted.

John Penalver shuffled his pack, bringing himself and Chris Randall into the game in place of the unlucky Searle and Brazil. These changes seemed to have the desired effect as Bletch seemed to have the upper hand as they created chance after chance.

Oxted seemed happy to soak up the pressure and looked threatening on the break but neither team could make the breakthrough as the game went into extra-time.

Bletch won the toss and decided to kick with the wind behind them in a bid to try and put the game out of sight but it looked as though it was going to be one of those games that seemed destined for penalties as neither team could make any in-roads in adding to their goal tally

Bletch probably had the better of the chances but they just couldn't put the ball away as Stott rattled the post and Tokarski and Robertson both missed simple chances.

Phil Meakin certainly kept Oxted in the game with three fine saves, and when he was beaten the woodwork rescued Oxted.

Kevin Penalver, John Penalver, John McBride and Justin Stott all scored as Richard Grover had his spot kick saved by Meakin.

Oxted skipper Matt Hancock was the unlucky player who missed the fifth penalty as his shot cannoned off the cross bar and handed victory to Bletch.

The sides still have to play each other twice in the league this season and both will be looking to improve on their own performances.

Bletch Reserves reached the next round of the Lower Junior County Cup with an emphatic 7-1 victory over Astolat Athletic.