MATCH REPORT: Halse United 2–2 Stewkley (Halse lose 5–6 on penalties)
Buckingham Cup Quarter Final

Halse United delivered a thrilling performance at Buckingham, twice coming from behind before losing a dramatic penalty shootout against Stewkley. The afternoon had everything: goals, big chances, momentum swings, and a nerve‑shredding finale that sent Stewkley through.

FIRST HALF

9’ – Early warning from Stewkley
Stewkley’s No.10 tried his luck from range, forcing Barnett into sharp action. The Halse keeper got down brilliantly to punch clear and keep things level.

10’ – Halse hit the woodwork
Read burst in behind down the left and smashed a fierce strike against the bar. De’ath reacted quickest to the rebound but headed over from close range.

17’ – Double chance for Halse
De’ath showed superb strength and awareness to hold the ball up and slide Mitchell through. Mitchell’s low effort drew a fine save, and the rebound was then hammered against the post before the keeper scrambled on top of it.

20’ – Goal for Stewkley (0–1)
Stewkley worked the ball well down the right, feeding their No.9 who laid it back to No.8. A driven low strike beat Barnett at the right post.

22’ – GOOOALLLL! Hamblin equalises (1–1)
Instant response from Halse. Warren whipped in a superb corner and Hamblin rose above everyone to thump home a towering header from six yards.

33’ – Goal for Stewkley (1–2)
A long ball over the top caused trouble, with the Stewkley No.9 chasing down Barnett. His clearance fell kindly to No.7, who nodded into an empty net.

36’ – GOOOALLLL! Brock levels again (2–2)
Halse hit straight back. Another wicked corner from Warren caused chaos and Brock launched himself at the ball, powering a header home from close range.

HALF‑TIME:
Halse United 2–2 Stewkley

A breathless first half with both sides trading blows and refusing to back down.

SECOND HALF

57’ – SUB
➡️ Warren
⬅️ Gilsenan

60’ – Big chance from a corner
Another dangerous delivery caused a scramble in the box, with De’ath firing over from close range.

65’ – SUB Stewkley
➡️ 15
⬅️ 2

67’ – Double SUB Halse
➡️ De’ath & Simpson
⬅️ Mitchell & Kinner

72’ – Double SUB Stewkley
➡️ 17 & 12
⬅️ 7 & 9

80’ – SUB Halse
➡️ Read
⬅️ De’ath

87’ – SUB Halse
➡️ Summers
⬅️ Warren

Both sides pushed for a winner, but the game remained locked at 2–2.

FULL‑TIME
Halse United 2–2 Stewkley
The tie heads to penalties.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

1. Stewkley 12 scores
2. Kinner misses
3. Stewkley 11 scores
4. Brock scores
5. Stewkley 17 scores
6. Mitchell scores
7. Stewkley 12 scores again
8. Gilsenan misses
9. Stewkley 9 misses — huge moment
10. Cartwright scores
11. Stewkley 6 scores
12. Warren scores

FINAL SCORE (PENALTIES)
Halse United lose 5–6