Swanwick Pentrich Road beat Bilsthorpe in nine goal thriller

Bilsthorpe took the lead after just ten minutes thanks to a superb turn and volley from Bilsthorpe striker Gavin King.

With Swanwick settling into their new three man midfield formation, you could excuse them for taking their time to establish themselves into the match. However, they were level on 20 minutess when Ashley Buxton drove the ball home from just inside the box.

Just after half-time the home side took the lead for the second time through Richard Guest after the Swan’s failed to clear their lines properly.

Aerially, Swanwick began to dominate and crosses and set pieces became a major part of the game plan.

Swans soon levelled when Shane Whitmore glanced home from a well delivered Chris Turner corner.

Bilsthorpe still pushed on and were soon rewarded with their third lead of the match when Mark Carter got on the end of a cross.

Nobody could fault the spirit and determination of the Swan’s and the match was soon level once more.

Shane Buckerfield drifted wide of the goalkeeper to drill the ball past his outstretched arm at the near post, sending the match in extra-time.

Extra-time was played at a fast pace, similar to the speed of the light fading, however, the referee was adamant the match was to conclude.

After 100 minutes Bilsthorpe must have thought that a Gavin King goal to put them ahead for the fourth time was to seal the victory.

But Swanwick had other ideas and, when Shane Whitmore rose to claim his second goal of the match, both managers were expecting penalties.

Ashley Buxton was to be the man to settle the match in the favour of the Swan’s when a fantastic leap saw him beat the keeper and send the Swan’s into the next round of the cup.