Goalkeeper James Dadge was the hero for St Ives as he saved three penalties in the shootout to help them retain the Huntingdonshire FA County Cup following an uninspiring goalless draw against Yaxley.

St Ives faced off against a resilient Yaxley side on the immaculate playing surface at Eynesbury Rovers FC on April 25, with Ives red-hot favourites to win the tie.

St Ives' last defeat in this competition came in 2018, and they faced up against a recently relegated Yaxley side from the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, who had the unenviable record of having won only two games all season.

However, Yaxley's resilience shone through as they battled all the way to take the game into a decisive penalty shootout, spurning perhaps the best chance of the whole match despite St Ives dominating possession without creating many clear-cut chances.

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After regulation time had ended, Dadge stepped up and quickly proved to be the hero by plunging low to his right to brilliantly keep out Osei-Bonsu’s well-struck spot kick.

The St Ives players were clinical with all their spot kicks, and it was fitting that the young keeper got the last touch of the ball on the night, keeping out a third penalty for a 3-1 shootout trophy win.