Penalties were required to split two sets of unbeaten table-toppers in a Hunts Lower Junior Cup showdown last Saturday.

Cambs League Division 3B pacesetters AFC Barley Mow eventually prevailed against Division 3A leaders Offord United from the spot to advance to the semi-finals of the county competition and step up their bid for a first trophy since moving into Saturday football ahead of the current season.

The Barley boys’ 4-1 triumph in the shoot-out was ultimately emphatic as three Offord men fluffed their lines from 12 yards, but there had been nothing between the teams as the 90 minutes that preceded the shoot-out ended in a 1-1 deadlock.

The teams traded second-half goals as Offord hit the front when defender Simon Pearce got his head to a Damian Sharp corner, but Barley Mow responded courtesy of a set-piece of their own as top-scorer Josh Turner headed in a corner.

The shoot-out didn’t go plan for hosts Offord as Chris Shelford slammed their opening penalty against a post and Pearce skied the third while Barley converted all four of their attempts.

Barley Mow will be joined by Fenstanton in the semi-finals after a Ben Hall scoring spree kept their hopes of county glory alive.

Hall struck four times as Adam Buckingham’s side breezed past lower-level Buckden Reserves 7-1.

Hall’s opener was cancelled out just before the break, but Fenstanton slammed in six second-half goals to storm to victory.

Hall was joined on the scoresheet by Adam Berrill, who struck for the first time this season, and Salv Merola, who bagged a brace.

The two local teams have avoided each other in the last-four draw as both hit the road to face Peterborough opposition. AFC Barley Mow go to Stanground Sports Reserves while Fenstanton travel to AFC Stanground Reserves with both ties scheduled for January 9.