Bay FC 3-2 Boyne Harps (Tullys Bookmakers Cup)
Bay pulled off what could be the result of the round as they knocked out current premier division leaders Boyne Harps this morning,running out 3-2 winners on a fine morning at Muirhevnamor Astro.
Mark Larkin set the tone early on,sending a bullet of a free kick goalwards only to see his effort brilliantly saved by Boyne keeper jack Boylen. Boyne had the ball in the back of the net but Guy Bates was ruled offside before he finished. Shaun O’Connor was played in by Paddy Connor but the winger blasted his shot over the bar.
Boyne pressed late in the half but Kevin Mullen and his defense marshaled the Boyne front line well. The deadlock was broke 2 minutes before the interval, a fantastic through ball by Connor split the Boyne defence and as the keeper steamed out the intercept it, winger Kevin Scollon caught it on the half volley and lobbed the advancing keeper to send bay in one up at the break.
Boyne came out 2nd have with a point to prove and had the lions share of possession in the opening of the half, grabbing their equalizer as the ball came across the 6 yard box and Graham Reynolds was there to tap home from close range. Boyne pressed their possession home ten minutes later as they took the lead, Guy Bates with a fantastic finish, curling an effort into the far corner with little or no room and moments later they nearly made it 3 but for a fine finger tip save from bay keeper Mullen.
It looked like Bays chances of progressing were fading away but they kept there heads and kept playing football. Their patience paid off as sub Gavin Donnolly spun on a six pence and played O’Connor through, one on one the winger finished superbly to level the game up. It was set up for a grandstand finish and Bay duely delivered. With little or no time left Connor played a ball over the top and Mario Kolak took his time and slotted it into the bottom corner to send the B ay line into raptures! A deserved win on the day and Bay now wait to see who they face in the last 8 of the challenge cup.
Team : Kevin Mullen, Brian McCloskey, Joe Woods, Angelo Stanley, Pairic Browne, Kevin Scollon (Steven McGuinness 75), Shaun O’Connor, Anto McLaughlin (Johnny Winters 60), Paddy Connor, Mark Larkin (Gavin Donnelly 65), Alan McCartney (Mario Kolak 75)