Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Launceston City lift NPL Under-21 Summer Cup for 2023 season

Photo:  Tito Brown beats Aiden Featherstone with City's fifth penalty to seal the win. [PlessPix] 

Launceston City lifted the NPL Under-21 Summer Cup after winning a penalty shoot-out against Clarence Zebras at Windsor Park in Launceston on Saturday.

After a goalless opening half, the teams were level at 2-2 after 90 minutes and there was no further score in extra-time so the contest went to a penalty shoot-out.

Launceston City won the shoot-out 4-3 to win the silverware.

Photo:  Launceston City celebrate their win after the penalty shoot-out. [PlessPix] 

Patrick Kenna gave Clarence Zebras a 55th-minute lead, but a brilliant header by the tall Diesel Murfet from an accurate cross 2 minutes later made it 1-1.

Mana Yawngtun restored City’s lead on the hour and it was not until 9 minutes from the end that a goal by Haidar Alnasser made it 2-2.

City were down to ten men by that stage after Arpan Rai was sent off for a second yellow card in the 75th minute.

Photo:  City keeper Noah Curtis was their hero in the penalty shoot-out with his saves. [PlessPix] 

City were shown five yellow cards.  Rai got two, while Tito Brown, Yawngtun and Alexander Vogelaar.

In contrast, only Ryan Boscoe and Ashton Hadfield were booked for Clarence Zebras.

Photo:  The winning coach, Launceston City's Alex Gaetani. [PlessPix] 

In the penalty shoot-out, City were flawless, with Yawngtun, Robert Stone, Zac Buchanan, Shane Egan and Brown all beating Clarence Zebras keeper Aiden Featherstone with their spot-kicks.

Ethan Medhurst, Samuel Jones and Andres Miranda were successful for Clarence Zebras before Kane Hatcher and Alnasser failed with their penalties to give City a 5-3 win.

 

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Ethan Medhurst shows his skill by bringing the ball down with a deft touch. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Ethan Medhurst (left) tries to block a shot by Launceston City's Jack Harper. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Launceston City's Diesel Murfet weaves his way past Clarence Zebras opponents. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Clarence Zebras defend a high ball into the penalty area. [PlessPix]

Photo:  City keeper Noah Curtis saves Kane Hatcher's penalty. [PlessPix]

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