Netherton Utd edge out top of the league Stamford Belvedere in the 2024-25 Challenge Cup first round in windy conditions at Stamford Welland Academy. The wind blowing up the pitch against Stamford for the first 45 minutes, the conditions evidently affecting play at times. A balanced contest with little sting until a free kick the was poked over the line half way through the first half, giving Netherton the edge. Giving the Netherton the boost they needed, allowing them multiple chance that could easily have seen them up 3 or 4 by half time. However poor decision making and misplaced passes allowed Stamford off the hook with the half ending 1-nil.

With the teams switching ends, now it was Stamford turn to use the wind advantage as a 12th man. For the first 10 minutes of the second half they camped out in the Netherton half and was so close to drawing level on at least 2 occasions with a goal line clearance being the biggest opportunity missed. The wind picked up and so did Netherton as they moved the football away from their goal out in to the middle third, bringing the match back into balance between the sides. The rain threatened at times as did both squads, but as the game drew on it looked less and less likely any further goals would be scored. Not to say the odd opportunity was still available for either side, with Stamford failing to connect with a dangerous cross across the mouth of the goal with no less than 3 players only a foot from making contact. With the referee replying 'one and a half' [minutes] in response to players calls for 'time ref?', it took Belvedere just 30 seconds to dash Netherton's hopes off seeing the game out. 1 a piece and one minute remaining, Netherton threw the ball up into the box looking for any contact but with a big clearance full time was blown and on to penalties it would be.

The penalties would be played with the wind (although it had eased off, and the few drops have rain had now passed), Stamford would take lead the teams off to see who would progress into round two of the competition.
The whistle blown by the ref to see the final 10 kicks of the game commence, and the first was rocketed 2 foot wide of the goal.
Netherton responded by placing the ball into the inside left side of the netting to start the goal count. Return to the spot to take the second, the shot by Stamford was played comfortably straight into the keepers arms, with Netherton following this with a ball into the bottom right and now 2 up after 2 played by each. The following 6 penalties would all be converted leaving the final penalty score Stamford Belvedere 3-5 Netherton Utd. Netherton progress in to the next round