New Santos II vs Ardoyne WMC II
Saturday 29th January 2011
Francis Cup Quarter Final
Mallusk
New Santos faced Division 3 newcomers Ardoyne in the Quarter Final of the Francis Cup hoping to reach the last 4 for the first time in their history.
Both sides started off well, with some solid tackling from the Santos midfield of Downey, Kerr, Barr & Gallagher.
However it was Ardoyne who would take the early advantage. On 25 mins some good attacking from the Ardoyne left winger saw the ball cut back to the middle and the Ardoyne striker had plenty of time to pick his spot. a low drive from 20 yards flew past the outstretched Santos keeper Ashwood and the ball struck the inside left lost, rolled agonisingly along the line and off the inside right post and into the back of the net, 1-0.
Santos kicked off again and with a minute they were level. A free kick from 40 yards out was floated into the middle of the Ardoyne box and a back flick header from Santos striker Caldwell looped over the advancing keeper and into the net. this was just the response Santos needed after going behind against the run of play.
Santos pushed on and ended the half the stronger of the 2 sides, however they could not take advantage and both sides went in level at half time.
Half time score: New Santos II 1-1 Ardoyne II
Ardoyne started the 2nd half well and piled the pressure onto the Santos defence. Some good play from the Ardoyne left winger kept our back line of Canavan, Thompson, Moran & Jones busy. Ardoyne enjoyed a good spell of possession and a series of corners lead to them taking the lead for the 2nd time in the game. A floated ball in was punched half clear by Ashwood, however Ardoyne had men waiting on the edge of the box. a low driven shot though a sea of players bulged the left hand side of the Santos net, a good finish to make the score 2-1 to Ardoyne.
Having gone behind twice in the game, to their credit, Santos players became more focused, and within 5 minutes they were level again . A whipped in corner from the left from left midfielder Downey bounced about in the Ardoyne defence before Kev Kerr pounced with a header into the right side of the goal.
The momentum was with Santos now and a few changes were made to freshen some legs in key areas. Left back Brian Canavan was replaced by Conchur Keenan on 65 mins, and Sean O'Reilly came on for Chris Jones in right back.
Ardoyne fought back some pressure spells but after a failed attack the ball broke free to striker Dave Harrigan on the right hand side of his own half. Harrigan ran virtually the entire length of the pitch and cut in with a low drive which narrowly missed the left hand post.
It was Santos who soon scored again on 70 minutes. The ball was played by Kerr down the right wing to Paul Barr, who skipped past the Ardoyne defence and squared the ball to striker Eamo Caldwell who squeezed the ball underneath the goalkeeper to grab a brace and put Santos into the lead for the 1st time in the game.
Another Santos substitute was made after right midfielder Mick Gallagher was caught on the jaw by a stray Ardoyne elbow, with Padraig Henry replacing him on 75 mins.
The game took a nasty twist on 80 mins when a reckless challenge on Paul Barr injured his leg & reduced Santos to 10 men having made all of their substitutes. The Ardoyne player received a yellow card from the referree.
With Santos down to 10 men for the last 8 or 9 mins Ardoyne piled the pressure on. A flick from their striker clipped the crossbar but dropped kindly for Santos centre half Chris Thompson to clear.
On 87 mins Ardoyne picked up a free kick on the edge of the box. A whipped shot over the Santos wall was easily palmed clear by keeper Ashwood to keep Santos ahead.
But it was Santos who held their nerve to get a much deserved victory and claim their rightful place in the semi finals.
Full time score: New Santos II 3-2 Ardoyne II
Team
GK- Gary Ashwood
LB- Brian Canavan (Conchur Keenan 65)
CB- Chris Thompson
CB- Eamon Moran
RB- Chris Jones (Sean Carson 70)
LM- Gareth Downey
CM- Kev Kerr (x1 goal)
CM- Paul Barr
RM- Mick Gallagher (Padraig Henry 75)
ST- Eamo Caldwell (x2 goals)
ST- Dave Harrigan
