ROMSEY Town Youth girls under-12s edged a tense Southampton League Cup final against Gosport on penalties.

Romsey appeared to lack pace and energy in the opening minutes of the first half, allowing Gosport to take an early advantage and put Martha Nelson’s goal under pressure. Gosport were rewarded for their early dominanace when a header took Nelson by surprise.

Midway through the first half Romsey found their feet and looked hungry for an equaliser.

Attacking from the back with tight passing from Rosie Hill and Charlotte White, play opened up. Ella Hammick created Romsey’s first real chance at goal, a great set up for Izzy Knighton. Two further chances for Knighton came in close succession but it just wasn’t to be, with the woodwork get getting in the way both times. A few team changes and Romsey upped the pace with Zara Vincent and Daisy Nelson narrowly missing a goal each. Gosport pushed forward in the second half but Hill and White kept strong in defence and Nelson was quick off the line to save anything that came through.

Romsey continued to battle on with Vincent working hard in midfield and their fortunes eventually changed as Sienna Arney scored from a superb corner taken by Beth Maxwell.

A flurry of corners came from Gosport but Romsey stayed firm, resulting in the game going to a nail-biting penalty finish.

Romsey and Gosport both missed their opening efforts, before Nelson made the save of the day to stop Gosport’s second.

Then Sienna Arney stepped up to claim the win and give Romsey Town a clean sweep of the league and cup honours.