Penalty pain for US Portsmouth as they miss out on Pompey Academy FA Youth Cup tie after Didcot Town shootout defeat

US Portsmouth under-18s were denied the chance of a dream FA Youth Cup meeting with Pompey Academy after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat at Didcot Town.
US Portsmouth's Toby Toman. Picture: Chris Moorhouse   (111020-31)US Portsmouth's Toby Toman. Picture: Chris Moorhouse   (111020-31)
US Portsmouth's Toby Toman. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (111020-31)

In a thrilling third round qualifying tie, it was the Oxford outfit who edged it 5-4 in sudden death of the shootout.

Remarkably, USP were just a minute away from making it through in normal time only for Freddie Kennedy to net for Didcot with seconds remaining t make it 1-1 and force penalties.

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Toby Toman's close range strike early in the second half appeared to be enough to secure US Portsmouth's spot in the first round proper against Pompey at Fratton Park.

But it was ultimately an evening of penalty pain that proved so hard to take, with Matt Dugan also missing from the spot in the first half.

Although it’s a run that all connected with the club can be proud of.

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