AFC Croydon Athletic visited Herne Bay in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday 04/09/2023. Bay keeper Carter Wilson was the hero as he saved three penalties in the shoot-out following a 3-3 draw in a thrilling game which had everything and was played in the right spirit.

Zeus McCully had given Herne Bay a 29th minute lead which was cancelled out before the break. McCully looked to have put Bay through with his second on 81 but within two minutes AFC Croydon Athletic levelled again. A long-range thunderbolt from Riley Soto Tuite a minute before the end of normal time seemed to have settled the tie, but with the referee indicating 10 minutes time added on The Rams came back again. 3-3 and onto penalties. Callum Whittaker and Louis Britten netted from the spot, with one going past the post and another going over the bar, and Wilson having saved two: McCully stepped up to put Bay 3-2 ahead. AFC needed to convert to even the scores but once again Wilson got down to keep the ball out and Bay were through.

Herne Bay: Carter Wilson (GK), Fin Whitton, Jack Hillier, Louis Reavill, Louis Britten, Riley Soto Tuite, Luca McCarthy, Callum Whittaker, Devon Mason, Freddie Saunders, Zeus McCully. Substitutes: Jack Whittaker, Noah Ireton,