Report
After coming back from three goals down in their FA Cup match against Great Yarmouth on Saturday, Leyton Pennant must have headed to the coast confident of winning their replay on Tuesday, however the Boaters had other ideas as they ripped through Danny Honeyball’s side to secure a convincing 5-1 win.
While the home side were probably asking themselves why they had needed to play this replay in the first place after they had looked to be cruising at Wadham Lodge at the weekend, Pennant were perhaps considering why they hadn’t just rolled over and died in that first game as they embarked on their long journey home.
Well there is probably only one explanation and that is the magic of the world’s oldest cup competition.
In a real fairytale tie Pennant had looked dead and buried on Saturday, as a first half strike from Kevin Howe and goals after the interval from Nathan Thomas and Neil Bilham, looked to have given Yarmouth an easy ride into the next round with just nine minutes to go.
However the appearance of substitute Neil Tilley sparked Honeyball’s men back into life, and efforts from Ian Barnes and Tony Jones sparked a real grand stand finish and with just seconds to go Craig Johnston capped a great comeback.
But any plans Pennant had of progressing in the Cup came to an abrupt end down on the coast, as the Londoners found themselves all at sea.
A lone Chris Stevens strike on 57 minutes was to prove little consolation as they were already trailing four-nil by then and Pennant were to have their misery compounded when they conceded a fifth just a minute from time.