Belfast Telegraph Intermediate Cup Round Three
Killyleagh Youth Club 0 – Moyola Park 3
The twice postponed third round tie in the Belfast Telegraph Intermediate Cup between Steel and Sons Cup winners Killyleagh Youth Club and Craig Memorial Cup winners Moyola Park was eventually played today at Killyleagh Showgrounds. Conditions underfoot were extremely sticky but the Moyola Park players started off as they had finished against Ards last week in vigorous attacking fashion. Killyleagh keeper Brian Burgess was by far the busier of the two keepers during the opening half, but despite enjoying considerable possession Moyola Park could not penetrate a solid Killyleagh rearguard.
The second half opened with a period of play in which neither side was really dominant and neither keeper was tested. The game sprung to life in the 72nd minute when Chris Larkin was fouled in the penalty area by Philip Crawford, and Jack Canavan stroked the ball home from the spot via the upright. Thirteen minutes later it was the turn of Russell Kerr to be upended in the box. This time Mark Murray was the culprit and once again Jack Canavan nonchalently stroked the ball past Brian Burgess. Liam O’Donnell dived to head home a Ciaran Mallon cross deep into injury time to give Tommy Gowdy’s men a convincing win over the Amateur League kingpins, who to date this season have earned victories in cup competitions against five Irish League Second Division teams. Today the Co. Down men found Moyola Park to be a ‘bridge’ too far. Just a few minutes from the end of the game Chris Larkin and Damien Kelly (KYC )were dismissed from the field of play following an off the ball incident which resulted in both players being shown a second yellow card.
Moyola Park: Ferguson, Duffin, Mallon, Martin, Quinn, Trainor (Munster), Stevenson, Canavan, Kerr (Kane), Larkin, O’Donnell
Sub. (not used) Press
Nationwide Irish Cup Round 5
Moyola Park 1 – Ards FC 2
Premier League side Ards had a tough test at Castledawson today before progressing to the Sixth Round courtesy of two Garry Haylock goals. Tommy Gowdy and his lads can take considerable credit from the game in which the visitors were pushed all the way by some spirited Moyola Park play especially in the second half.
Ards took the lead somewhat against the run of play after 10 minutes when Garry Haylock headed past Symon Ferguson. Rodney Hassan and Jason Stevenson both had good efforts in the early minutes. Veteran midfielder Raymond Campbell had a good shot well blocked by Moyola Park keeper Symon Ferguson after 16 minutes. Four minutes before the interval Paul Trainor headed just wide of the Ards upright, from a Ciaran Mallon free kick.
Just after the break Russell Kerr beat the Ards offside trap but failed to test Ards’ Scottish keeper Stephen Robertson. In the 56th minute Rodney Hassan put the final touch to an excellent Moyola Park move involving Jason Stevenson and Chris Larkin to equalise for the home side. It was that man Haylock who sealed Moyola Park’s fate when he was well positioned at the far post to tap home a cross from the left wing in the 69th minute. As hard as Moyola Park tried the Ards’ defence wasn’t breached, but it took a top drawer save from Robertson to prevent Paul Trainor snatching what would have been a deserved equaliser.
Well done lads, you did the Moyola Park supporters proud on the day displaying character and not a little skill, with Seamus Quinn’s leadership, by example, as usual to the fore.
Moyola Park: Ferguson, Duffin, Mallon, Canavan, Quinn, Trainor, Stevenson (Kane), Hassan (Munster), Kerr, Larkin, O’Donnell
Sub (not used): Montgomery