Thompson saves in shoot-out as Gloucester City advance in FA Trophy thriller

Jared Thompson produced the goods in a penalty shoot-out again, as Gloucester City advanced into the FA Trophy Fourth Round on spotkicks, after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

City trailed the National League South side at the break, thanks to Teddy Jenks’ opener, but two goals in as many minutes from Elis Watts and Joe Hanks saw City lead on the hour mark.

The hosts retook the lead after Jack Spong’s penalty levelled proceedings, through Sion Spence – who was set through on goal as the hosts countered from a corner.

Spong’s deflected 83rd minute strike restored parity and sent the game to penalties – the fourth time City have gone to penalties in the Trophy since the start of last season.

The Tigers now turn their attentions to a trip to Tiverton Town on Tuesday night, as they look to continue their league form after the euphoria of making the Fourth Round of the Trophy for only the fourth time in their history.

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Worthing flew out of the traps, with Thompson called into action inside 90 seconds to keep out Kwaku Frimpong.

The visitors had a number of balls into the City box and dominated possession, but were unable to land an early blow.

Harry Emmett had an effort saved by Josh Jeffries, before Sion Spence hooked over from a corner with City’s best chances of the half.

And in first half injury time, the visitors struck as Teddy Jenks combined well with Jack Spong before slotting past Thompson to send his side into half time ahead.

Elis Watts levelled in the 58th minute after standing his man up on the edge of the box, before curling into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Within seconds, City won the ball and after Emmett got forward, his ball across was eventually bundled home by Joe Hanks.

The KMM Energy Stadium erupted, but was quietened down five minutes later when Watts tripped Jenks in the box – with Spong’s effort too pacey for Thompson to make it 2-2.

But City responded well and after a corner kick was cleared, the ball was played through to Sion Spence, who tucked home past Jeffries to restore his side’s lead.

As the Gloucester fans began to sing about Wembley, Spong took aim from 20 yards after a corner was cleared to him – with his effort looping up and in off the far post after taking a wicked deflection.

Hanks, Spence, Pinchard and Emmett all converted from 12 yards, with Spong, Bradley Dolaghan, Sam Packham scoring for the visitors.

But after Thompson saved from Coleman De-Graft, Marcus Day was given the task of sealing the deal.

Day’s effort was saved, but after the penalty was dramatically ordered to be re-taken, the former Bristol City Youth man made no mistake and the home fans began celebrating and discussing potential opponents in the next round – including local rivals, Forest Green Rovers.

Gloucester City: J Thompson, Jones, Roberts, Richards-Everton, O’Regan, Williams, Hanks, Pinchard, Spence, Emmett, Watts

Subs: Driver-Dickerson, Chance, Wildig, Day, C Thompson

Worthing: Jeffires, Colbran, Frmpong, Cook, Sorondo, Spong, Ransom, Byron, Jordan, Jenks, King

Subs: Coleman De-Graft, Odokonyero, Packham, Burgess, Dolaghan, Lee

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Elis Watts (Gloucester City)