Fareham Town show ‘great character’ to win FA Vase shoot-out against 10-man Badshot Lea

Josh Benfield was among the scorers as Fareham drew 3-3 with Badshot Lea before winning on penalties in the FA Vase. Picture: Vernon Nash

Stiles made his players practice penalties on Thursday night and the move paid off.

The two sides were locked together at 3-3 after 90 minutes ahead of the penalty shoot-out.

Whilst the Wessex League Premier Division table-toppers converted their first three spot-kicks, their opponents failed to hit the net once.

'We knew there isn't any extra-time in the knock-out games so we practiced penalties at training just in case,' said Stiles.

'Obviously Badshot Lea didn't.

'I had five good penalty takers but in the end only had to use three of them.

'The players showed great character because it wasn't easy going into it having conceded in the final minute.

'It is quite easy to lose momentum going into the shoot-out when that happens

'We felt quite deflated and had to pick ourselves up.

'The players did that superbly.

'The important thing is that we are in the draw for the next round.

'We were nowhere near our best but sometimes it doesn't matter how you get there.'

After an even start Fareham were handed the initiative when the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Defender Adam New received a straight red card after a clash with Curt Robbins.

The Reds wasted little time in making their advantage count, taking the lead seven minutes later through Robbins.

On 28 minutes Josh Benfield extended the hosts' lead, poking home from close range.

A roller-coaster of a second half saw the visitors battling back despite being a man short.

They reduced the arrears at the start of the second period before Calum Benfield restored the home side’s two-goal lead.

Badshot Lea finished the stronger, levelling with two goals in the closing stages.

'For some reason we couldn't get going,' said Stiles.

'When opponents go down to ten men sometimes players can slip off the pace.

'If a couple of key players don't perform that can run through the team.'

Casey Bartlett-Scott, Robbins and Tom Settle all converted their penalties, while Badshot fired the first two over the bar before Dan Kempson saved their third effort.

Fareham Town: Kempson, James, Tattersall, Willcox, Moody, Benfield C (Cooper), Messenbird (Davis), Benfield J (Slade), Robbins, Bartlett-Scott.