Billingham talk of Town after shoot-out victory

SKIPPER HAILS TEAM SPIRIT

- By MARK CARRUTHERS

BILLINGHAM Town captain Dale Hopson praised the spirit of his teammates after they sealed a place in the FA Vase first round with a penalty shootout win at Easington Colliery.

After a hard-fought opening 45 minutes, it appeared the two sides would be heading into the interval without troubling the scorers but that all changed just before the whistle when Thomas Bott fired the Colliers in front.

Two quickfire goals from forward Charlie Watt turned the tie on its head but substitute Liam Wright got the hosts back on level terms at 2-2 and forced the game to a shootout that was eventually won by Town captain Hopson

Speaking after the game, Hopson said: “It was a bit of a free hit because we didn’t expect to get anything from the game.