Grimsby Town goalkeeper Christy Pym was the unlikely hero as the League Two side knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw
Grimsby Town goalkeeper Christy Pym
Grimsby Town goalkeeper Christy Pym was 'half fuming' to beat Manchester United, the team he supports. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Grimsby's goalkeeper, Christy Pym, admitted he was still in disbelief after his team ousted Manchester United from the Carabao Cup following a thrilling 12-11 penalty shootout victory.
Bryan Mbeumo hit the crossbar with his second attempt during an intense 18-minute shootout, deciding the second-round tie that had finished 2-2 after regular time at an electric Blundell Park.
Pym, a confessed United supporter, expressed: "It's not sunk in yet. I'm a Man United fan, so I'm half-fuming a little bit. Night's like this is what you play football for. Just brilliant. I should have done a little bit better (in the shootout), shouldn't I? I made one save to keep us in it and the boys have done the rest. It's brilliant."
Charles Vernam gave the League Two side an early lead in the 22nd minute with a fantastic low shot that slipped past United's goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Mariners kept up the pressure on their Premier League rivals, scoring a second goal before half-time after Onana fflapped at Vernam's cross, allowing Tyrell Warren to find the net.
Mbeumo managed to claw one back for United in the 75th minute, followed by Harry Maguire's equaliser in the 89th minute. Vernam confessed to Sky Sports that the tension of the shootout nearly overwhelmed him.
He shared: "It was a nervy wait. When it just kept going on and on, you just never know. We scored and thought 'right we have a chance' and then they kept scoring.
"It's an amazing feeling, one that will live with us forever. The message all week has been about belief and knowing how good we are and the gaffer's instilled that.
"He (David Artell) told us not to just turn up, there's always a chance if we play the right way with the right intensity. Why can't it be us?".
"So to pull that off is an amazing feeling and we're going to enjoy the moment."
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