VALE of White Horse Boys’ Under-13s went all the way to the penalties as they missed out on a place in the final of a national competition.
The Oxfordshire side drew 3-3 after extra-time away to Leeds in the English Schools’ Football Association Champions Cup, before losing 4-3 on penalties.
Vale took the lead after 10 minutes through Josh O’Keeffe, but the home side were back level just five minutes later.
Two Vale penalty appeals were ignored by the referee, including one where Tyler Adjei appeared to be brought down.
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Vale goalkeeper Jayden Garthwaite then had to be replaced after suffering a bang to the head.
The hosts scored early in the second half from an inswinging corner, with Vale then throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
They were rewarded with three minutes to go when Adjei netted.
O’Keeffe then doubled his tally early on in extra-time, before Adjei hit the underside of the crossbar.
The referee then waved away another Vale appeal for a penalty, and were two minutes away from the final when a free kick to Leeds was awarded.
The home side took advantage and brought things level following a goalmouth scramble.
Leeds went on to win 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out, to set up a final against Brighton or Bexley.
Vale can reflect with pride though on a run which saw them win 3-2 against Southampton in the round of 16, before a 2-1 victory over Sheffield in the quarter finals.
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