STOCKPORT, England, CMC – Reggae Boy Adrian Mariappa saved a vital penalty in a nerve-jangling shootout as Salford City faltered in their quest to reach the League Two playoff final in a heartbreaking defeat to Stockport County.
With the semi-final tie level at 2-2 after 120 minutes at Edgeley Park in the northwest on Saturday, a penalty shootout was needed to resolve the contest. Matt Lund volleyed over the crossbar to leave Salford City playing catch-up.
The 36-year-old Mariappa, capped 64 times by Jamaica, had the opportunity to haul his side back into the tie after Paddy Madden had put the hosts ahead. Still, his shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe.
Veteran 35-year-old Hinchliffe saved again from Stevie Mallan, and Will Collar and Antoni Sacevic scored to send Stockport to face Carlisle United in the final at Wembley.
“It’s hugely disappointing, of course, but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t to be,” said Salford City head coach Neil Wood.
“I can’t fault any of the players. Every single one of the lads gave it absolutely everything, right up until the dying seconds.
“We’ve practiced penalties this last fortnight, but you just can’t prepare for the crowd and the hostile atmosphere that the lads taking the penalties were up against.”
Salford City entered the second leg of the semi-final tie with a 1-0 lead following a positive result at Moor Lane a week ago. Still, Isaac Olaofe leveled on 68 minutes to force the game into overtime when he headed in full-back Ryan Rydel’s cross.
Mallan’s deflected goal in the 112th minute seemed to put the visitors in the driver’s seat again before Jack Stretton’s close-range header, five minutes from the end, restored parity in the tie.
and then 