With both teams defending so well, scoring chances were few and far between in this cup quarter-final. However, the home team took theirs – scoring in the 27th and 47th minutes and while VEC’s competitive spirit and commitment shone through, as we pushed forward in an effort to get back into this cup match, they added a third 7 minutes from time.
The only goal of this cup match was a sweet strike from Joey Byrne in the 12th Minute and despite VEC losing a player to two yellows in the 38th minute, the work-rate of all the players reduced the number of efforts that Blackforge had, and ensured that we advanced to the last 16 where we have a home game against Quarryvale FC.
Nothing of note in this Cup match up to the 53nd minute when the home team’s no. 4 was red carded for a DOGSO offence. Then they scored twice in the next 15 minutes, from which we never recovered, despite being awarded a penalty kick with 5 minutes remaining, which unfortunately, we failed to convert. Not our day!
In the shoot-out, only Paddy Cook and Conor Lewis converted their spot kicks from our first five, with Shelbourne then needing to convert their 5th to advance in the Cup, after 2 brilliant saves by ‘Colly’. Fortunately, he was our saviour for a third time with another magnificent save (first clip) and it went to ‘sudden death’. 4 superbly taken spot-kicks by Neill Love, Ron Newe, Shane O’Connor & Ronan Murphy (and 3 by the opposition) meant the home team needed to score their 9th spot-kick to stay in contention. Alas, they put it wide and VEC advanced to the quarter-finals on a 6-5 penalty shoot-out result. [See the 18 penalties here].
A penalty shoot-put was required in this cup tie, after the game finished 4-4 after extra-time. VEC came through 4-3 to advance to the quarter-final.
Hit pics to enlarge: Neill Love with the winning penalty just after Richie Hannify made this great save.
Oisin, Conor Lewis & Joey also tucked away their penalties.
Joey Byrne scores VEC’s 3rd goal in the 60th minute.