KATIE Scadding proved to be hero as Cherries won a dramatic penalty shootout to clinch the women’s Hampshire Senior Cup.

Facing Southampton FC’s RTC Academy side at Fratton Park, the game was locked at 1-1 at 90 minutes, Kelly Fripp cancelling out Kaylee Buckingham’s early opener.

Then, all 11 players from each side took penalties in the shootout, goalkeeper Scadding saving three and scoring herself as Cherries won 9-8 on spot-kicks.

Buckingham broke the deadlock at the home of Portsmouth FC in just the fifth minute, turning home from close range after Ellie Chaffe’s shot fell kindly for her in the box.

A deflected Katie James strike almost levelled matters, but keeper Grace Jenman made an acrobatic stop. Amber Treweek almost netted in bizarre fashion, her clearance up-field catching out Jenman, but a defender got back to clear off the line.

Saints defender Sam Corrie escaped a red card for a sliding challenge on Lucy Cooper as she looked to bear down on goal just before the half hour mark, but Cherries soon levelled.

Fripp used her strength to get away from the young Saints defence, before heading home from Molly Gladwell’s corner.

James struck the crossbar from distance, before Pearl Mortimer missed a good chance to break the deadlock as the game headed for penalties.

With all of the first five penalties in the shootout converted, James, Molly Clark and Helen Bleazard on target for Cherries, Scadding then saved from Sofia Mallon, before converting Cherries’ fourth kick herself.

Mortimer missed the chance to seal victory for Cherries, as the shootout headed for sudden death.

Smith made no mistake, before Amber Treweek’s miss meant Saints had a chance to take victory, only for Scadding to save again.

Fripp, Kaitlyn Elliott, Gladwell and Cooper all converted for Cherries, before Scadding saved from Saints’ 11th penalty, to clinch the trophy.

It is the first time in 14 years the competition has not been won by Portsmouth, who were dumped out in the semi-finals by Steve Cuss’s Cherries.

This marks the end of the season for Cherries' women, who finished fourth in Division One South West of the FA Women's National League.

The final of the men's Hampshire Senior Cup is set to take place tonight, again at Fratton Park, with Cherries' development squad facing Basingstoke Town. 

Cherries: Scadding, Jones (Bleazard, 32), Fripp, Smith, A Treweek, Gladwell, Mortimer, James, Elkins (Clark, 53), J Treweek (Elliott, 86), Cooper.

Unused subs: MacKinnon, Hughes.