On an incredible night on Wearside, it took 54 penalties to settle an Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup first round tie between Washington FC and Bedlington Terriers.

Washington eventually prevailed 25-24 with five kicks missed. There were 14 more penalties than spectators.

The two Ebac Northern League clubs Division 2 created a piece of football history after this marathon penalty shoot-out consisting of 54 penalties, only five of which were missed, on Wednesday night.

The Guinness World Records lists the longest shoot-out as 48 attempts from a 2005 Namibian Cup clash between KK Palace and Civics, which ended 17-16 to Palace.

It also passes the English record of 44 penalties set when Wolverhampton side Old Wulfrunians earned a 19-18 win in the shoot-out in a JW Hunt Cup tie last year.

Last night’s game at the Ford Quarry Football Hub in Sunderland, finished 3-3 which was exciting enough, but no-one was aware of the drama to come.

Washy’s Bradley Chisholm was on a hat-trick but likely to be on the losing side when his team were awarded a 90th minute penalty, which he converted to seal his triple.

Two from Austin Barbour and one from Hener Mateus had put the away side on course to the next round until Chisholm’s late intervention.

Jack Roys, David Hall and Jakub Zych all successfully converted three for Washington as did George Rounsfell, Aaron Duell and Joe Blackbourne for Bedlington.

Trae Rowlandson was about to join them when he stepped up for his third after two successes. He then had to watch on in agony as Lucas Gamblin converted the 54th kick of the night to seal Bedlington’s fate, and set the new world record.

The sides sit 19th and 17th in the Northern League Division 2. Washington host Carlisle City on Saturday, whose coach Jim Nichols is sponsored by Prost International. He told us:

“I was utterly astonished when I saw the outcome. Sometimes at this level a score comes in late and you make allowances for technical issues but this was new to me.

“I’d like to congratulate all those who scored. It’s never easy. I think everyone would understand if the Washington players were all a bit tired on Saturday, though we’re not relying on it.

“That may be to our advantage but I’ll be sure to offer them thanks for putting our league in the headlines even if it was Washington who finally benefitted.”

Bedlington have longer to recover as they don’t play again until they visit Ryton on March 19th.

More by the author on the Northern League Dicision 2:

Meet Billingham Synthonia, the only club proudly named after a fertiliser

Boldon Colliery, the colliery club called Villa who scores like a cricket team

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