STEVE Lloyd’s Cheshire League team suffered a painful defeat in their FA Inter League Cup semi-final in Saint Helier.
The representative side, managed by Tarporley Victoria boss Lloyd, lost 4-3 on penalties to the Jersey Combination after the last-four tie ended 1-1 after extra-time.
The hosts dominated the first half but could only take a one-goal lead into the break.
After a half time dressing down the visitors, whose squad contained Vics duo Nick Abson and Al Rowntree, came out with renewed vigour and purpose after the restart.
They got the equaliser they deserved in the 87th minute when Eagle Sports’ Richard Chinn headed home and they would have won it had it not been for some inspired saves from the Jersey goalkeeper.
He went on to make two brilliant penalty saves in the shoot-out to help send his team through to the final.
Manager Lloyd said: “We will be better for this experience, though it is still difficult to take in how close we were to achieving such a feat.
“The players who represented the Cheshire League side have served every club, manager and the league proud in this journey.
“They have proved to be exceptional both as individual players and as a team.
“I am immensely proud to have led them along the way,”
Tarporley Victoria lost 1-0 at home to Rylands in Cheshire League Division One on Saturday
