Dudley Town 1, Sporting Khalsa 1 (Khalsa win 3-2 on penalties)

A BRILLIANT performance by keeper James Pemberton helped Sporting Khalsa into the semi-finals of the West Midlands League Cup, writes Mat Danks.

In a match dominated by the blustery conditions, Pemberton produced two quality saves during normal play before stepping up to save three Dudley spot-kicks in the shoot out.

With the win behind them in the first half, Dudley made the most of the assistance to gain the advantage at half time.

Town striker Joel Amball capitalised on an error by Jamie Oliver on 12 minutes but his shot from distance bounced just wide.

Dudley keeper James Scarratt pulled off a good stop on the half hour, rushing to block Marvin Nisbett’s shot after he was put through by Craig Bannister.

But the deadlock was broken five minutes before the interval when Stefan Ashman threaded a superb wind-assisted pass to Rhys Morgan who poked past the onrushing Pemberton to give the home side the lead.

The change around shifted the dynamics of the match completely with Khalsa taking control in the second half.

Ricky Nicholls might have done better than hit the woodwork from Nicky Campbell’s fine cross on 52 minutes while Bannister was unfortunate to put his shot wide on the hour after he charged onto a through-ball.

Pemberton pulled off the save of the match on 63 minutes, pushing Morgan’s lovely curling freekick onto the angle of bar and post.

And it was his opposite number’s turn to impress on 75 minutes when Mike Perks fed Brad Lawley who set free Bannister down the right, only for Scarratt to pull off a nifty stop to intercept the cross which was bound for the predatory Nisbett.

Extra time saw neither side conjure too much as the conditions continued to deteriorate, although substitute Shawn Devonport forced Pemberton into action on 98 minutes on the break.

Dudley substitute Tyler Douglas was dismissed for two wreckless challenges on Jamie Oliver – the second leaving the centre-half needing to be stretchered from the field.

But Pemberton was to make himself the hero, saving kicks from Alex Perry, Ben Jordan and Ashman while Lee Wherton, Perks and Lawley kept their calm to convert and send Ian Rowe’s side through to the semi-finals.