SAMSON Riesner saved two penalties as Bromsgrove Rovers AFC’s under-15s side retained the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League Open Cup with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory against Hollyfield under-15s, writes Neil Gordon.
The young Greens goalkeeper saved the first and last penalties he faced to secure the cup for Rovers AFC, following a thrilling 3-3 draw after 90 minutes at Pack Meadow in Coleshill.
Goals from Louie Foster and Kyle Andrews put Bromsgrove in command before Mason Wilson scored a long-range equaliser late on to take the tie to penalties.
That came after Hollyfield produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to take the lead early in the second period.
Rovers AFC broke the deadlock against league winners Hollyfield when Foster buried a loose ball from Tommie Foulkes’s shot which rebounded off the post.
And Andrews doubled Rovers advantage with a header from a corner midway through the first half.
However, Hollyfield struck twice late on in the first half to draw level before the break.
And Hollyfield stunned Rovers by taking the lead straight from the restart after the interval.
However, the young Greens refused to give up as Wilson equalised from 30-yards out to take the game to a shootout.
Kyle Bench put Bromsgrove ahead, before Riesner saved Hollyfield’s first spot kick.
Andrew, Rio Depper-Gwilliams and Foster all converted their penalties to present Archie Grogan with the chance to win the cup for Bromsgrove.
However, Grogan saw his effort saved only for Riesner to heroically keep out a second Hollyfield penalty as Rovers celebrated a 4-3 shootout victory to retain the trophy.
