March 4 2003

Gavin Heeroo

Surrey Senior Cup holders Crystal Palace were knocked out by Leatherhead following a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the game ended 0-0.

A weakened side lost 5-4 on penalties after the match went to extra-time.

The only noteworthy effort in the first half was a Tariq Nabil shot from Tyronne Berry's cross which went into the side netting.

Ten minutes into the second half, the pair linked up again and Nabil forced the keeper to put his shot away for a corner. Wilson had a header saved from the resulting corner and shortly after, Tom Soares' shot went wide of the goal.

Leatherhead had their first effort of the match in the 76th minute as Alex Kolinko made a decent save. Five minutes after that, Nathan Simpson forced the Leatherhead keeper into a good stop.

Simpson had another effort saved two minutes later. Nabil, Berry and Charlie Taylor all had efforts before the 90 minutes were up.

In extra-time, Nabil and Gavin Heeroo went close for Palace but it went to penalties as it remained goalless.

Leatherhead took the first penalty and the ball struck the crossbar and bounced on the line and out again - and the linesman gave the goal much to the surprise of the home side!

David Hunt had his kick saved, then a Leatherhead player blasted wide. Ben Watson, Taylor, Prigent and Nabil scored their spotkicks as did the Leatherhead players. The score was 4-4 and onto sudden death.

Leatherhead scored their sixth spotkick but unfortunately Heeroo had his effort saved by the keeper and Palace were out.

Palace: Kolinko, Berry, Simpson (Prigent 103), Gibson (Soares 46), Wilson, El-Sahali, Heeroo, Hunt, Taylor, Nabil, Watson.

Subs not used: Winothai, Conroy, Dolan.

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