After losing the last two games against Eunice, Cardea changed their style slightly and decided to counter attack rather than press and try to play Eunice at their own game. This approach seemed to catch Eunice off guard and it was Cardea who created the chances in the first half.

Dandrilli was unlucky to have a goal disallowed when Sam Cope delivered an excellent ball into the box which was met with a well timed header beyond the Eunice keeper. Unfortunately the flag was up and a goal was not awarded.

Moments later centre-back Michael Williams forced a huge save from the Eunice keeper when a Nathan Ginty free kick was delivered to the far post and the defender saw his header tipped over the bar.

Cardea continued to cause trouble and Williams defensive partner, Tom Rimes was only denied by the post after another excellent ball into the Eunice box wasn’t dealt with. The man mountain defender's size 14's probably one size too small to turn the ball in.

At the other end, Cardea's counter attack style was beginning to frustrate Eunice and the midfielders started shooting at Wilson’s goal from distance in a hope of opening the scoring.

HT: Cardea FC 0-0 Eunice Huntingdon

No changes were made at half time and Cardea were encouraged to keep going with the high energy and battling performance that had seen them the better of the two teams in the first half.

On the 50th minute, creative midfielder Ash Baldwin did break the deadlock when John Reddell put the ball back across goal following a set piece, Baldwin finishing well from close range. 1-0.

The next 20 minutes became a game of attack vs defence as Cardea became increasingly tired, however the home side still remained a threat on the break.

Eventually the Eunice pressure told. A free kick into the box wasn’t dealt with properly and a Eunice player was on hand at the far post to turn past Wilson. 1-1.

With both teams tiring, Cardea introduced McKenna and Baxter to the game in an effort to add some energy and in the dying stages.

Ash Baldwin (along with the Cardea management, reserves and fans on the sidelines) must have thought he had won the game in the final moments. Baldwin was played through on goal and took his shot early. The shot looked destined for the top corner but from nowhere the Eunice keeper produced a superb save to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

FT: Cardea FC 1-1 Eunice Huntingdon

With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties and it was Cardea who came out on top. 4 excellently taken Cardea penalties as well as a good stop by Wilson and one Eunice penalty that is still on its way down was enough to secure Cardea a place in the next round.

The Cardea scorers were Martin Holyoak, Mike Dandrilli, Ash Baldwin and Sam Cope, who scored the winner.

After the game, manager Matthew Robinson said “I’m still buzzing by today’s performance and of course result! We got battered by these the last time we played them so we adapted and used a game plan to give us the best opportunity to win. We were superbly defensively and created enough chances to win the game without penalties. The shoot-out success is pleasing but it’s horrible from the sidelines!!”

MOTM was given to Nathan Ginty who played excellently in CM and helped to control the tempo when we got the ball but in all seriousness the whole team deserve the credit for an all round quality display.

This Saturday Cardea make the trip to Dogsthorpe to play PNS Reserves in a league game.