Salford City goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky made a one-handed save to stop Ronan Curtis’ penalty in the shootoutSalford City held their nerve to beat Portsmouth 4-2 on penalties in the delayed 2020 Papa John’s Trophy final.Neither side could find a goal in normal time or extra time as both goalkeepers produced a series of fine saves to keep the game scoreless.Salford keeper Vaclav Hladky made the most crucial stop of the game as he helped the Ammies to victory by denying Ronan Curtis in the shootout.Ryan Williams had also missed with Pompey’s first attempt, while Salford scored all four of their spot-kicks with midfielder Jason Lowe tucking home the winner.The final was delayed by 342 days from its original date last April after the first coronavirus lockdown curtailed the 2019-20 season.Salford will hold the trophy for less than 24 hours before Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers face each other in this season’s final on Sunday.Victory means Salford have won on both of their appearances at Wembley Stadium after they secured promotion to League Two by beating AFC Fylde in the National League promotion final in 2019.Their first honour as a Football League club, witnessed from the stands by co-owners Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, ensured they became the first side since Hull City in 2014 to win their first two matches at the stadium.Portsmouth, on the other hand, were denied the opportunity to become the first club to retain the trophy after they beat Sunderland on penalties in the 2019… Click below to read the full story from BBC Sport
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