Sunday League: Glover the hero as DMS beat holders

DMS FC beat Senior Challenge Cup holders Birds Eye Pelham 5-3 on penalties in the quarter-final after the game was deadlocked at 3-3 after 90 minutes.

Goalkeeper Jamie Glover was the hero when he saved star man Luke Todd's penalty – and then converted his own to send DMS into the semi-finals for the first time

Paul Knox, DMS secretary, was delighted with the result.

He said: "This was a great result for us. Like Birds Eye, we were not at full-strength.

"But we had enough of our usual players fit and available to carry us through."

Birds Eye secretary Steve Booth was gracious in defeat and said: "On balance, it was about 50-50 in terms of possession, but we threw away a two-goal lead against a well-organised and well-prepared DMS."

DMS overcame Birds Eye after a close battle.

Both teams settled early and DMS created the first chance when Jonathan Oglesby's run and cross was met by Gary Cross, whose shot was well-saved by stand-in keeper Phil Graham.

But Birds Eye scored first when Luke Todd's shot was saved by Glover, only for the ball to drop into the net.

Todd then raced clear, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Danny Revill.

From the resulting corner, DMS broke and Carl Price went close with a header.

Stefan Melin then wasted a good chance when he lobbed the keeper, only for Graham to save easily.

Birds Eye increased their lead early in the second half when Todd headed home.

This seemed to bring DMS to life and they were soon back in the game when full-back Matty Hanton rode three challenges and played a neat one-two with Price. He then raced clear, beat a defender and fired into the far corner.

They deservedly equalised when a defensive mistake let in Melin, who rounded the keeper and fired home.

Todd was unlucky when his goal-bound shot was saved by Glover, but DMS went into the lead when Lewis Wilson's cross was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Melin, who made no mistake.

Birds Eye equalised in injury time when they were awarded a penalty and Todd's spot-kick took the game to a shoot-out.

DMS keeper Glover then performed his heroics to send his side through. They will meet BBS Couriers in the last four.

BBS (Jason Chisnall, Ashley Kiss) beat Imperial Red Star 2-0.

This weekend, DMS play Cromwell.

Club secretary Knox added: "Cromwell have a decent set of league and cup results and we must respect them.

"They work hard as a team and hold their own.

"We hope to have everybody available, because they are quite capable of causing an upset."

Birds Eye will hope to bounce back from the cup exit by getting back to winning ways in the league.

They take on bottom club AFC Bradley on Sunday.

Boss Booth added: "Bradley are desperate for points and will be up for it.

"We have a nucleus of good players and others who do not turn up for whatever reason.

"Some of the young lads who slot in are not quite ready yet.

"There's an element of transition, and things are not happening.

"Everybody must realise that our season is not over yet.

"We can still climb up the league table and we are still in the Lincolnshire Sunday Cup."