It was a nightmare midweek journey in the Southern Combination Challenge Cup, with most of the players and management stuck in traffic for over two hours. Many others were stranded at the station, making for far from ideal preparation. Some players didn’t arrive at all, while others made it just minutes before kick-off.

Despite this, we started the stronger side and were playing well. However, after just five minutes, Waugh struck for Reading, putting them ahead. The hosts posed a threat with their long-throw specialist, causing problems in the box. The Salts pushed forward, with Will Kendall firing just over the bar, while goalkeeper Kevin Kardel pulled off a fantastic save to keep the score at 1-0 going into half-time.

The Salts came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. On 62 minutes, Kevin Kardel produced an incredible triple save, blocking a shot before making two further stops in quick succession. Then, in the 69th minute, Ethan Nelson-Roberts was fouled in the box, and skipper Adam Green stepped up to convert the penalty, bringing the Salts level.

A minute later, Stefan Aiwone made a welcome return from injury, replacing Sean Michael Anderson. On 80 minutes, William Kendall broke free of his marker, but his shot sailed over the bar.

With the game ending 1-1, another penalty shootout was required. Adam Green took the first penalty but saw his effort saved. Kevin Kardel immediately responded by saving Reading’s first spot-kick. Both sides then scored their next four penalties, with Callum Wilson, Craig Dundas, Anthony Nazareth, and Luke Miller converting for the Salts.

The shootout moved into sudden death. Niall Stillwell and William Kendall both scored before Kevin Kardel produced his second penalty save of the night, securing victory for the Salts and a place in the quarter-finals at home to Balham.