Alfies Heroes v Sheffield Thursday
A
routine win was on the cards for Alfies as they started brightly after a very
early goal from Mini. After the goal, Alfies had chances to double their lead
and looked the much stronger team. This dominance wasn’t initially put to use
however, as to their credit Sheffield Tuesday pulled a goal back after a free
kick was spilled by the Alfies keeper onto the on rushing Cian McCarthy to
level the tie. The draw was short lived however as that man again Mini took
advantage of a good delivery into the box to restore the lead. It was to be a
two goal half time lead when captain leader legend Ger Fitz smartly finished.
Again to Sheffield's credit they battled back and Rob Whyte brought the lead back to one with a decent amount of time still left on the clock. Alfies held on and
defended well however for a deserved 3-2 victory.
Cappaquigley Athletic v Cutters
This
second Intertoto cup game was a cracker and the first of two penalty shootouts
had on the night. Cutters took the lead through the ever dangerous Cathal
Murphy. This game was nip and tuck from the first whistle, and the students
levelled through a wonder strike from outside the box from Arvin. Again nothing
really separated the sides in terms of quality all over the pitch, until Cathal
Begley again put the Clare side ahead to bring the sides into half time at 2-1
Cutters. The game stayed this way until about 15 minutes from time, when Abel
got arguably a deserved equaliser for Cappa. Both sides pushed hard for the
rest of the game, with no real chances of note to win the game in normal time.
It was however the students who progressed thanks to some decent penalties and
a couple of great saves in the shootout. Special mention to cutters legend
Denis Mckeown who came out of retirement for his side at the age of 56 and gave
a fine display at “left corner back”
Wembledines v Bluestreak
One
game of penalty shootout drama wasn’t to be enough for the brave souls who were
in attendance in the lashing rain of the pavilion. Another cracker of a game
where one side will really be kicking themselves that they bowed out. Bluestreak
went 2 ahead through the very impressive and quick Gary grabbing a brace, where
on both occasions he dribbled past men and fired home. The game could have been
out of sight for Bluestreak but a couple of opportunities were spurned and they
went into the break 2-0 up. This however was a game of two halves. This
experienced Wembledines side showed real fight and pulled a goal back a few
minutes into the second half. Hope was never lost and 10 minutes from time they
managed to find the equaliser. Both sides then became rather tentative trying
to ensure they didn’t lose the game. Ref John Mc even played until 5 past in
search of a golden goal! None however came, and after what seemed like 10
penalties each, the Wembledines keeper who scored his own, saved the decisive
penalty in sudden death to win the game for Wembledines.
Polonia v Brazuca
This game proved an extremely feisty affair between two very passionate sets of players who didn’t want to give an inch from the very first whistle. Polonia started the game stronger and this pattern arguably continued for the entirety of the game. With lots of possession, the Poles created a couple of decent chances before they spurned the best chance of the game from 5 yards out which was blazed over the bar just before half time and the sides went in 0-0. The deadlock however did not take long to be broken and inside just 1 minute of the second half, Dominick fired home from a corner to cause great scenes of joy among the Polonia team for a deserved lead. The pressure kept on coming from Polonia, and only for an excellent save from the Brazuca keeper it would have been 2. The game was finally put to bed when Kuba latched onto a ball in which Brazuca were certain he was offside, but the refs whistle never came and the game was over. An impressive 2-0 win for Polonia
