Broxbourne Borough’s scintillating FA Youth Cup fairytale has taken yet another incredible step after victory over Yeovil Town sent them to the last 16 of the competition.
The ninth tier club had already made some quite extraordinary steps just to make the fourth round, but Alie Bangura’s first-half goal ensured dreams were not coming to an end just yet as they are now set to face Aston Villa for a place in the quarter-finals.
Bangura slotted home with just a few minutes on the clock, much to the delight of the 1,000 fans packed into Goffs Lane.
The visitors, who currently sit five tiers above their opponents in League Two, attempted to fight back, but with chances at a premium Broxbourne Borough held on to set up one of the biggest fixtures in the club’s history.
They’ll now face Aston Villa, a Premier League side as recently as last season, after they battled to a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Blackburn Rovers – the side who had knocked them out in last season’s competition.
Neither side boasted any clear-cut opportunities as it finished 0-0 in normal time, though Viktor Johansson did well to prevent Matthew Makinson’s header from putting Rovers ahead.
It was to stay scoreless after extra time, but neither side were guilty of lacking a clinical edge from the spot, Joel Steer firing home the 13th successful spot kick to send his side through to the last 16.
They’ll be joined in the FA Youth Cup Fifth Round by Southampton, who came from behind to defeat Wigan Athletic 2-1.
Tom Powell had opened the scoring for the Latics, but strikes from Jonathan Afolabi and Michael Obafemi sent Saints through, now set for a clash with either Manchester City – last season’s FA Youth Cup runners-up – or Liverpool.
And Lee Connelly’s double ensured Sunderland AFC were not going to depart early, victorious 3-1 at the expense of Shrewsbury Town at Eppleton Colliery Welfare.
George Hassell had equalised for the Shrews after Connelly’s opener, while Elliot Embleton scored and Michael Woud saved a penalty to secure the Premier League’s side passage.
They’re now gearing up for a battle of the North East against Newcastle United on home soil.
