Bay used seven 15-year-olds in the squad, and the two who started were excellent throughout. Three of them showed balls and stepped up to take penalties in Bay’s FA Cup defeat of Cray Valley PM.
Coming back from being a goal down, a superb volley from Sammy Railton from the left flank in the 20th minute brought the Bay’s youngsters level. A defensive error put the visitors ahead midway through the half, but parity was restored when Alex Scott got the ball over the line after a good period of attacking play just before half-time.
No further goals in the second period saw the tie go to penalties. The first three spot kicks were confidently dispatched by both teams, then the drama of penalty shootouts began. Bay’s fourth kick was saved by the Cray keeper, followed by Cray converting their fourth. Bay's fifth spot kick was perfect, which left the visitors needing to score to take them through, but this was comfortably saved by Will Underdown.
Bay’s sixth penalty was brilliantly dispatched high into the roof of the net. Underdown then became the hero on the night, saving Cray’s final effort by pushing the shot around the upright. After two seasons of exiting the FA Youth Cup on penalties, Bay had finally done it.