Post by musampa on May 22, 2007 22:29:18 GMT
Abbeyview 1 Randalstown Athletic 1 (Abbeyview win 4-1 on pens)
A large crowd turned up at the Forum for this play-off semi final and were not disappointed with a very committed and entertaining match between two evenly matched teams. Red card, controversial goal, penalty shoot-out, this game had the lot.
A very youthful starting line-up for the 'View' went to plan as for most of the first 20 mins seen Abbeyview use the energy and fitness of the youngsters to stretch the Athletic midfield and defence but no real clear chances in front of goal were created apart from Ryan 'Zola' Carson who after cleverly flicking the ball over the centre-halfs head screwed his shot well wide.
5 minutes later Zola was put through on the left wing only to be took down by centre-half Leacock on the edge of the box but amazingly the referee signalled for a goal kick. After 35mins Athletic keeper Hassan superbly clawed out an interception from Athletics Mickey O'Hagan that looked destined for a top corner o.g. (Best save I have witnessed in a long time!). Athletic's best chance of the half fell to Chris Dowie who picked up a poor clearance from the Abbeyview defence but shot well over and the scoreline remained 0-0 at half-time.
The second half started much the same as the first with Abbeyview having the better opening exchanges but with the score at 0-0 Athletic would be the happier team and both sides created very few opportunities with defences well on top.
The breakthrough came on 55mins when after an Abbeyview corner, the ball was met by Alan Cochrane at the back post who volleyed the ball into the net from 10 yards, and although the ball went clearly into the net and then through the bottom of the net, the referee hesitated to award the goal before consulting an independent spectator to clarify the goal.
Abbeyview's Jackie Todd then seen a low shot from 25 yards palmed round the post by the excellent Athletic keeper, and on 70 mins the 'View' found themselves down to 10 men when Chris Perks was harshly given a second yellow card for obstruction on Speedy Cameron when he was trying to get out of the players way. With Abbeyview down to 10 men, Athletic piled on the pressure but the 'View' defended well. Athletic equalised with 10mins to go after an Abbeyview attack seen the ball lost in midfield and Chris Dowie latched on to a through ball and clipped the ball by keeper Ferson to level the score at 1-1.
Athletic began to take advantage of the extra man and almost snatched the winner but 'View' keeper Ferson made a great save to deny Cameron (I think) in the 88th minute.
The first period of extra-time seen no real chances of note, but in the second period, Athletic had a great chance but (Dont know who, Sub?) found himself in on goal but shot wide and Abbeyview's Alan Cochrane hit the crossbar and Paul Dunlop shot over when well placed and the game went to the shoot-out.
Stephen Brown, Alan Donnelly, Jackie Burrows & Alan Cochrane scored for Abbeyview.
Chris Dowie for Athletic.
In closing, thanks to Athletic for an excellent game, a few points.
1. It would have been a disgrace if Sandy had not awarded our goal whatever anybody says, I think common sense prevailed (for once), Honestly, there shouldnt even have been a doubt, how the hell did he not see it??
2. Hope Atheltic's big centre-half's knee injury isnt a bad one, never met him before but a nice guy on and off the pitch.
3. If we do get up, I promise, Glencloy Ringers will suffer big time!!
A large crowd turned up at the Forum for this play-off semi final and were not disappointed with a very committed and entertaining match between two evenly matched teams. Red card, controversial goal, penalty shoot-out, this game had the lot.
A very youthful starting line-up for the 'View' went to plan as for most of the first 20 mins seen Abbeyview use the energy and fitness of the youngsters to stretch the Athletic midfield and defence but no real clear chances in front of goal were created apart from Ryan 'Zola' Carson who after cleverly flicking the ball over the centre-halfs head screwed his shot well wide.
5 minutes later Zola was put through on the left wing only to be took down by centre-half Leacock on the edge of the box but amazingly the referee signalled for a goal kick. After 35mins Athletic keeper Hassan superbly clawed out an interception from Athletics Mickey O'Hagan that looked destined for a top corner o.g. (Best save I have witnessed in a long time!). Athletic's best chance of the half fell to Chris Dowie who picked up a poor clearance from the Abbeyview defence but shot well over and the scoreline remained 0-0 at half-time.
The second half started much the same as the first with Abbeyview having the better opening exchanges but with the score at 0-0 Athletic would be the happier team and both sides created very few opportunities with defences well on top.
The breakthrough came on 55mins when after an Abbeyview corner, the ball was met by Alan Cochrane at the back post who volleyed the ball into the net from 10 yards, and although the ball went clearly into the net and then through the bottom of the net, the referee hesitated to award the goal before consulting an independent spectator to clarify the goal.
Abbeyview's Jackie Todd then seen a low shot from 25 yards palmed round the post by the excellent Athletic keeper, and on 70 mins the 'View' found themselves down to 10 men when Chris Perks was harshly given a second yellow card for obstruction on Speedy Cameron when he was trying to get out of the players way. With Abbeyview down to 10 men, Athletic piled on the pressure but the 'View' defended well. Athletic equalised with 10mins to go after an Abbeyview attack seen the ball lost in midfield and Chris Dowie latched on to a through ball and clipped the ball by keeper Ferson to level the score at 1-1.
Athletic began to take advantage of the extra man and almost snatched the winner but 'View' keeper Ferson made a great save to deny Cameron (I think) in the 88th minute.
The first period of extra-time seen no real chances of note, but in the second period, Athletic had a great chance but (Dont know who, Sub?) found himself in on goal but shot wide and Abbeyview's Alan Cochrane hit the crossbar and Paul Dunlop shot over when well placed and the game went to the shoot-out.
Stephen Brown, Alan Donnelly, Jackie Burrows & Alan Cochrane scored for Abbeyview.
Chris Dowie for Athletic.
In closing, thanks to Athletic for an excellent game, a few points.
1. It would have been a disgrace if Sandy had not awarded our goal whatever anybody says, I think common sense prevailed (for once), Honestly, there shouldnt even have been a doubt, how the hell did he not see it??
2. Hope Atheltic's big centre-half's knee injury isnt a bad one, never met him before but a nice guy on and off the pitch.
3. If we do get up, I promise, Glencloy Ringers will suffer big time!!
