SUFFOLK Schools' Under-16 goalkeeper Charlie de Lara Bell was the hero as the county reached the last four of the ESFA Trophy for the first time at this age group.
SUFFOLK Schools' Under-16 goalkeeper Charlie de Lara Bell was the hero as the county reached the last four of the ESFA Trophy for the first time at this age group.
The Hadleigh High School keeper saved two spot kicks as Suffolk defeated Sussex 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Suffolk, unbeaten for two years, deservedly led through Charlie King (Northgate) who smashed home from 20 yards after 34 minutes. They doubled their lead in the 64th minute, Jordan Egerton racing clear from the half-way line and holding off a defender to score from the edge of the area.
Ten minutes from time Sussex scored what appeared to be a consolation goal thanks to a cruel deflection. Then a late onslaught by Sussex seemed to have been weathered by Suffolk.
However, the referee somehow found almost nine minutes of injury time during which Sussex equalised with another deflected goal to force extra time, but no further goals saw the tie settled on penalties.
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