Gloucester City won 8-7 on penalties and advanced to the next round of the FA Trophy after a Wimborne Town FC second-half fightback completed through a late Cam Munn equalizer.
A red card for Gloucester center-back Dan Ball late on was an influential factor after the home side dominated the majority of the game
The Tigers were shocked to find themselves behind after 10 minutes as Wimborne Town forward Will Fletcher squeezed in a header past the far post, just beating the scrambling Gloucester keeper Jared Thompson. The referee’s assistant was needed to confirm the ball had crossed the line after he and the home fans in the T End were not convinced.
The Wimborne goal seemed to inspire Gloucester City and were galvanized after the visitors took the lead. The sharp passing game that Mike Cook, the Gloucester City manager, has deployed delighted the crowd at times. The Magpie’s keeper Ross Flitney was constantly busy with regular shots on goal.
Despite being the smallest man on the pitch, King Baidoo leaped higher than the rest to head home a corner to equalise in front of the home fans.
The away side won the coin toss and forced The Tigers away from their home support for the second half. Although restrictions are minimal at this level, fans tend to swap ends at half time, leaving the home fans bemused by Wimborne’s psychological warfare.
City did not take long to grab the lead in the second half. Dayle Grubb smashed home a chance from just right of the penalty spot in the 49th minute to give the home side a much-deserved lead.
Ball then body-checked the Wimborne winger and was flabbergasted when the referee issued a red card after not just he thought it only looked a yellow.
The extra man showed and for the first time in the match Wimborne Town started to dominate possession and City struggled to push back the attack at times.
This pressure was rewarded with the equalizer coming in the 82nd minute as Matt Neale played Harry Baker in. The resulting challenge saw the ball bobble out to present Munn with an unmissable chance.
2-2 was played out until a very late referee’s whistle sounded the end of an entertaining performance.
A Benny Hill moment ensued at full-time as the home fans were unaware that the tie would go straight to penalties. A mass exodus started and the home stewards had to try a keep some home support inside the ground.
Having rushed behind the chosen goal, home and away fans nervously waited for what would be a competitive shoot-out.
After the initial five penalties, each of the two teams were locked at a draw. The sudden death played out until Harvey Wright blasted the ninth Wimborne kick far into the Gloucester City car park.
City will advance into the first round proper as their fans will look forward to more nail-biting cup action and hope for a potential big name in the draw.