34 penalties later, Taunton beat Truro to win cup tie

November 21 – A non-league cup match has equalled the record for the longest penalty shootout in English football history.  Taunton Town and Truro City needed 34 spot-kicks to separate them after drawing 2-2 in the Southern League Challenge Cup second round. 

Taunton finally won the shootout 12-11 when Jack Rice netted their 17th penalty to send his side through. The two sides finished 3-3 after the regulation first five penalties, and both scored with their next five in sudden death.

Each team missed their 11th penalty and scored from the next three before appearing to lose their nerve.

Both missed kicks 15 and 16 and Truro’s Austen Booth also missed his side’s 17th to allow Rice to finally settle the tie with the fifth opportunity his side had to wrap up the shootout.

“Thirty-four minutes, 34 penalties and then I had to rebuild the penalty spot afterwards. It was mad,” Taunton chairman Kevin Sturmey, who doubles up as head groundsman, told his local radio station.

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