THEO BALL netted a dramatic 90th-minute winner as AFC Fylde saw off Football League academy side Cambridge United to reach the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in their history.
Supersub Ball pounced on a goalkeeping error to earn Conrad Prendergast’s side a mouth-watering trip to take on Premier League Chelsea.
It was Cambridge who struck first at Newmarket Town FC on Wednesday night, scoring inside eight minutes before Owen Robinson equalised for the Coasters from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
Within a minute of the restart, Fylde were ahead when full-back Sam Gibbons fired an unstoppable effort into the top right corner of the net.
Fylde’s advantage lasted just six minutes as the U’s restored parity but the visitors were still creating chances – captain Maine Walker just unable to head Gibbons’ delivery towards goal.
Ball’s introduction 15 minutes from time added a different dimension to Fylde’s attack and, with the seconds left, he found a winner. The striker latched onto a long ball over the top and toed the ball round the onrushing goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net, sending the Coasters’ players and staff into raptures.
Meanwhile, boss Josh Law heaped praise on his Basford United side as their memorable FA Youth Cup run came to a crushing end with a 4-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
Jovan Malcolm’s header and a stunning long-distance brace from Zak Ashworth gave the Baggies’ a commanding half-time lead before Rico Richards’ neat turn and finish rounded of the scoring ten minutes from time.
“We’re immensely proud, regardless of the result,” Law said. “To return to training at such a late stage and to put in that kind of performance against a top West Brom outfit, with only two weeks of training under their belts, is testament to this side.”
Sutton United’s dream also ended as they went down 6-0 to a very talented Liverpool outfit with sub Ethan Ellis scoring a late hat-trick at Kirby.
