SUDDEN death became a long and painful process for Rolls Royce of Crewe on Saturday as Middlewich Athletic Reserves progressed from their group into the semi-finals of the Mid-Cheshire Saturday Cup in amazing circumstances.

The 2-2 draw which the 90 minutes and extra-time produced soon became a distant memory as Athletic finally emerged 13-12 winners of an epic penalty shoot-out.

The seemingly endless sequence of spot-kicks, including the three given during the actual game, had stretched to 35 by the time Peter Moreland despatched the final kick.

Games at Seddon Street in the winter kick off at 2pm due to the absence of floodlights at the ground. But players, officials and fans must have thought darkness would envelop them long before this marathon was over.

Referee Bob Floyd, secretary for Mid-Cheshire referees, had never seen anything like it.

He said: "I remember a few games where sides have taken six or seven penalties but 16 each was unbelievable.

"It has to be said that the quality of the penalties was excellent. I think one went over the bar but all the others were on target."

He was also full of praise for the two goalkeepers, who must have felt they were facing a firing squad.

He continued: "They made some great saves and both scored past each other. It was a shame that one side had to lose after such a great game."

The reserves will go into the hat for Thursday's semi-final draw with the Middlewich Athletic first team, who are the holders. Last year's beaten finalists Barnton and Lostock Graham complete the last four.

The Robins' reserves next game is a visit to Golden Hill on Saturday.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.