Bull the hero as Green reach final

Crawley Green progressed into the final of the Division One League Cup on Tuesday night by beating Codicote 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.

Crawley’s keeper Dean Bull was the star of a shoot-out which saw him save three Codicote penalties and score one himself.

In the first half, Codicote’s Liam Errington fired in a number of corners which were cleared by the Crawley defence.

Green responded with a corner from Jack Downes which was headed over by Sam Halfpenny.

The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time when Codicote conceded a penalty for a foul on Liam Toomey.

Jack Downes’ spot kick was saved by Billy Barnes, but the ball rebounded to the grateful Downes who fired home to make it 1-0 at the break

Codicote started well in the second half and quickly got back on level terms as Liam Errington had a free kick go just over the bar before Sam Stephenson lined up another free kick from fully 30 yards to beat Dean Bull.

The hosts Codicote pressed forward with Craig Cawcutt and Stephenson both sending shots wide.

Crawley slowly got back into the game but neither side looked like breaking the deadlock and the match went into extra time.

Chances were far and far between as Charlie Clayton broke clear for Crawley but his shot was saved by Barnes.

Ray Ancliff headed over from another Errignton corner and Barnes then kept Codicote in the game when he made a point blank save from Craig Savage.

On to penalties and Bull saved from Stephenson and Ricky Case, while Downes and Toomey both missed for Crawley but Mark Smith, Bull, Sam Pemberton and Sean Bishop all scored

Bull then saved from Andy Carter to leave Tom Barnett to plant the ball past Barnes to secure a 5-4 win and put Crawley into the final where they will meet the winners of Welwyn Garden City or Bedford.