Dundalk 1-1 Linfield
Credit:
Dundalk progressed to the next round of this cross border cup
competition after a 1-1 draw on the night gave a 6-4 aggregate
score,they will face Glentoran in the next round.
Ross Gaynor opened the scoring for the home team in the 11th minute and Michael Gault equalised on the stroke of half time for the visitors from Belfast.
Both managers had promised an attacking performance from their charges and they were true to their word as the first period opened with 100 miles an hour cup football and no quarter was given in the challenges. Dundalk extended their aggregate lead in the 11th minute as a break down the right gave Jason Byrne room to cross, although Mark Quigley attempted to get a head on the ball it was headed out as far as Ross Gaynor who thrashed the ball home via a small deflection past Alan Blaneys right hand from around 12 yards.
Two fine pieces of skill illuminated the opening quarter of the game as first Robert Garrett tried his luck with a lovely volley from 18 yards after controlling a cross field ball on his chest, his effort flew narrowly wide of Peter Cherries right hand post. Then not to be outdone Mark Quigley tried an audacious chip from around 30 yards which beat Alan Blaney in the Linfield goal all ends up but bounced back to safety off of the bar.
Marcus Kane was next up to try his luck for Linfield as he shot across goal. Linfield drew level with the last kick of the first half, Hawkins conceded a corner which Marcus Kane swung into the six yard box, a scrum of bodies competed for the ball in the air and it dropped kindly to Michael Gault to hammer home from close range.
Linfield again settled well and pushed Dundalk back Chances came and went and the Dundalk back line marshalled supremely by Colin Hawkins withstood the assault. Garrett missed a gilt egded chance on 68 minutes as a fine ball into the box from Jamie Mulgrew picked him out six yards from goal but he glanced his header wide of the post when he should have scored.
Peter Cherrie turned sweeper on 74 minutes as Shane Guthrie dithered over a ball down the outside left slot hoping that it would have the legs to get to Cherrie. Sadly for him it didn’t and Cherrie had to stoop into a header to clear from Peter Thompson.
Dundalk held out and progress through to face Glentoran next monday night.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Simon Madden, Shane Guthrie, Colin Hawkins, Eoghan Osborne; Daniel Kearns, Greg Bolger (Keith Ward 81), Dean Bennett, Ross Gaynor (Stephen Maher 61); Mark Quigley, Jason Byrne.
Subs not used: Michael Hector, Paul Murphy, Nathan Murphy, Stephen McDonnell, Johnny Breen
Linfield: Alan Blaney; Jim Ervine, David Armstrong, William Murphy, Aidan O’Kane; Jamie Mulgrew, Michael Gault, Robert Garrett, Marcus Kane (Curtis Allen 76 ); Mark McAllister, Peter Thompson.
Subs not used: BJ Burns, Aaron Burns, Nathan Hanley, Stuart Addis, Brian McCaul, Chris Casement
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robert Garrett.
Referee: Damien Hancock
Attendance: 2250.
Ross Gaynor opened the scoring for the home team in the 11th minute and Michael Gault equalised on the stroke of half time for the visitors from Belfast.
Both managers had promised an attacking performance from their charges and they were true to their word as the first period opened with 100 miles an hour cup football and no quarter was given in the challenges. Dundalk extended their aggregate lead in the 11th minute as a break down the right gave Jason Byrne room to cross, although Mark Quigley attempted to get a head on the ball it was headed out as far as Ross Gaynor who thrashed the ball home via a small deflection past Alan Blaneys right hand from around 12 yards.
Two fine pieces of skill illuminated the opening quarter of the game as first Robert Garrett tried his luck with a lovely volley from 18 yards after controlling a cross field ball on his chest, his effort flew narrowly wide of Peter Cherries right hand post. Then not to be outdone Mark Quigley tried an audacious chip from around 30 yards which beat Alan Blaney in the Linfield goal all ends up but bounced back to safety off of the bar.
Marcus Kane was next up to try his luck for Linfield as he shot across goal. Linfield drew level with the last kick of the first half, Hawkins conceded a corner which Marcus Kane swung into the six yard box, a scrum of bodies competed for the ball in the air and it dropped kindly to Michael Gault to hammer home from close range.
Linfield again settled well and pushed Dundalk back Chances came and went and the Dundalk back line marshalled supremely by Colin Hawkins withstood the assault. Garrett missed a gilt egded chance on 68 minutes as a fine ball into the box from Jamie Mulgrew picked him out six yards from goal but he glanced his header wide of the post when he should have scored.
Peter Cherrie turned sweeper on 74 minutes as Shane Guthrie dithered over a ball down the outside left slot hoping that it would have the legs to get to Cherrie. Sadly for him it didn’t and Cherrie had to stoop into a header to clear from Peter Thompson.
Dundalk held out and progress through to face Glentoran next monday night.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Simon Madden, Shane Guthrie, Colin Hawkins, Eoghan Osborne; Daniel Kearns, Greg Bolger (Keith Ward 81), Dean Bennett, Ross Gaynor (Stephen Maher 61); Mark Quigley, Jason Byrne.
Subs not used: Michael Hector, Paul Murphy, Nathan Murphy, Stephen McDonnell, Johnny Breen
Linfield: Alan Blaney; Jim Ervine, David Armstrong, William Murphy, Aidan O’Kane; Jamie Mulgrew, Michael Gault, Robert Garrett, Marcus Kane (Curtis Allen 76 ); Mark McAllister, Peter Thompson.
Subs not used: BJ Burns, Aaron Burns, Nathan Hanley, Stuart Addis, Brian McCaul, Chris Casement
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robert Garrett.
Referee: Damien Hancock
Attendance: 2250.
