The Gingerbreads Win On Penalties

By Simon Hayes

Captain Stefan Galinski scored the 5th and decisive penalty in a penalty shoot out, in tonight's Integro League Cup Quarter Final against Basford Utd

The Gingerbreads started with Jermiah Dassalou leading the line with Lee Shaw starting on the bench.

The opening quarter of an hour saw chances fall to either side including a couple of long range efforts from The Gingerbreads Harry Clifton.

On the half hour Ellis Storey went off injured which looked like a thigh strain and was replaced by Sam Purcicoe.

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Integro League Cup Grantham Town v Basford United - Post Match Interview With Grantham Town Assistant Manager Danny Martin 02:08

With 5 minutes to go in the half, Jeremiah Dassalou had the best chance of the half. Danny Meadows received a ball from over the top who squares it to Jeremiah who can only hit the cross bar from 6 yards out.

It was thought Basford who took the lead. Former Gingerbread Kyle Dixon went on a mazy run, skipping past a Rhys Lewis challenge and fired home, 0-1.

The opening 20 minutes saw more chances for Basford but they could not convert. Lee Shaw came on for Jeremiah Dassalou, and Academy player Tom Curtis for Curtis Burrows. This meant Danny Meadows moved to his familiar right wing position, this opened up The Gingerbreads play and within minutes were level.

Lee Shaw cut into the box turned the Basford defender and was brought down, and although the referee didn't give the penalty his Assistant did. After a short stoppage to treat Lee Shaw, Luke Shaw stepped up to fire the penalty home.

Minutes later The Gingerbreads could've been level. Lee Shaw pulled the ball back across the 6 yard line but Felipe Barcelos couldn't get any contact and Basford cleared. Another chance was missed, when Kieran Preston cleared the ball long and it reached Danny Meadows in the box but he couldn't keep his shot down.

With 4 minutes added time, Kieran Preston made a sprawling save to deny Basford a late winner.

The referee blew the full time whistle and to penalties it went.

The Gingerbreads went first and Felipe Barcelos scored. Basford equalised.
Harry Clifton was next and scored. Basford equalised.
Luke Shaw next and he scored. Basford's keeper stepped up and Kieran Preston saved. 3-2
Tom Curtis stepped up and scored. Basford score, 4-3.
Stefan Galinski made his way up to take the 5th penalty for The Gingerbreads, his walk back looked as if he was going to go for power but he cooly slots home and sends The Gingerbreads through to the Semi Finals, 5-3.

In tonight's other Quarter Final Clitheroe beat Scarborough 3-2. The other two Quarter Finals are to played on the 14th and 28th so it'll be the end of March before we know who we definitely play.