KSAFA’s Santos FC were perfect from the 12-yard spot when they eliminated Premier League contenders Reno FC, 4-2, on penalties in the first round of the Flow Champions Cup at the Bell/Chung Oval yesterday.

After playing out an ugly regulation and extra time 0-0 draw, the dreaded penalty kicks were used to decide the winner, which saw the home team progressing in the national knockout tournament.

Terrence Allen, Demetrio Billet, Dasha Satchwell and Oneil Gayle were at their sharpest by beating the Reno goalkeeper Dennis Clayton with their kicks.

Kenroy Hutchinson and Davion Thorpe scored for the Westmoreland side, with Kirk Wright missing the frame, while Jahshane Foster’s effort was saved by Mark Bryan in the Santos goal.

Throughout the game, Reno looked more likely to score as the best chances fell to them through defender errors on the part of Santos, or co-ordinated attacking moves.

Close to the end of the first half, Reno almost took the lead, but a well-positioned Santos defender dug a goal-bound ball from the line in the midst of a web of tangled feet inside the box.

Again the visitors came forward in the 48th minute, but Desmond Montique’s promising ’30-yarder’ whizzed over the top.

In the 57th minute, another good chance was spurned by Reno when Linval Wilson’s weak side-footed effort from close range failed to ruffle Bryan in the Santos frame.

In extra-time, Reno kept up their offensive ambitions, but their attacking players were wayward as they either kicked straight to the custodian, or wide of an inviting goal.

Santos’ goalward industry lacked bite overall, but their talisman Demetrio Billet waged a one-man war on the Reno defensive unit, teasing and tantalising with every offensive rendition. But even he could not deliver the coup de grace.