Strangford FC take Orangefield OB II into extra time before they could finally claim the win
Junior Shield Round Round 2,
Venue: The Links, Strangford: 12 10 24
Final Score: Strangford FC 4 1 Orangefield OB II .
Strangford welcomed Orangefield to the Links for this Junior Shield 2nd round encounter played in a mix of bright sunshine, rain and a cold wind but it took extra time for Strangford to eventually overcome a stubborn Orangefield outfit writes Cyril McKinney.
The first half saw plenty of endeavour from both sides with Strangford enjoying plenty of possession but unable to carve out any clearcut chances.
The orangefield rearguard held firm with captain Paul McNickle leading the way well supported by Jamie Little and together they restricted the Strangford to half chances with Shane Teggart heading over from 6 yards out on 25 minutes.
And minutes later a Jack Fitzsimons shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by visiting keeper Heathwood diving low to his left and on 40 minutes a rasping shot from Stefan McGrattan hit the post from an acute angle on the left edge of the box.
At the other end of the pitch Orangefield failed to trouble the home keeper with the Strangford defence solidly on top.
Into the second half and Orangefield started well and on the front foot but Strangford fought back and it was end-to end soccer but there was a lack of cutting edge from both sides before Jack Fitzsimons sprung the off-side trap and ran clear and as the keeper advanced Fitzsimons held his nerve and cooly slotted home to put the home side 1-0 up on 77 minutes.
Orangefield responded immediately and on 83 minutes they were on level terms when Strangford Keeper had to be alert and saved well from Orangefield substitute Donnelly, but from the resulting corner from the right wing defender Danny Massey found himself unmarked in front of goal and powered home a thumping header to square things up and set up a grandstand finish but extra time beckoned as the game finished 1-1
Strangford started on the stronger and set about attacking Orangefield and three minutes later they went ahead when the keeper failed to hold on to a low shot and there was Owen Curran following up to tuck away the rebound form an acute angle.
Orangefield made the changes in personel up front and went with 3 attackers but the Strangford defence held firm and with time running out Strangford went further ahead through a breakaway led by substitute Eoin Kelly whose shot was saved by the keeper, but Rory Reilly was following up and he made no mistake to make it 3-1 to the home side on 109 minutes.
3-1 became 4-1 on the final whistle when Eoin Kelly was rewarded for his hard work firing home when neatly set up by Owen Curran.
4-1 flatters the home side when for periods of this game Strangford could not break down a stubborn defence despite the best efforts of Jack Fitzsimons who was a constant threat all afternoon.
And the introduction of Eoin Kelly caused real problems for Orangefield. He chased and harried the opposition and drove at the Orangefield back line every chance he got.
Strangford FC: Cathal Kinsella,Stefan McGrattan, Ciaran Evans, John Polley, Shane Teggart, Rory Reilly, Paul Donnelly, David Shields, Aodhan Harney, Owen Curran, Jack Fitzsimons. Subs: Eoin Kelly for Aodhan Harney,
Orangefield OB: Andrew Heathwood, Jack Donaldson, Alexander Price, Paul McNickle, Danny Massey, A Nother, Jonathan Cockcroft, Zac Dick, Daniel Montgomery, Ross Leslie, Clarke Little Subs: Daniel Jones for Daniel Montgomery, Jamie Glover for Ross Leslie, James Donnelly for Jack Donaldson.
