Aquinas 1-2 Rovers 17/9/11
Irish Junior Cup Round 1
Aquinas 1-2 Portaferry Rovers (McAvera, Convery)
It took the full 90 minutes for Rovers to secure their passage into the second round of the Junior Cup on Saturday. The opposition from the Belfast & District League battled hard to make this an uncomfortable afternoon for the away side.
The first half was largely uneventful and Rovers were restricted to few clear cut opportunities during this period. The defence restricted the home side to even fewer. Gerry Curran was unlucky with a thunderous shot that cannoned off the crossbar to safety and Michael Doran went close with a header from a corner that flashed past the post. But this was the closest Rovers came to taking the lead.
The second half began with Rovers showing more urgency but this wasn’t being converted into chances. All the action came in the last ten minutes of the tie. Substitute Nigel Kelly began to get some joy upfront and it was the same player who created Rovers’ first goal. Bobby Curran played the ball down the right wing and Kelly beat his marker and advanced to the bye-line. His pinpoint cross was met by Andy McAvera who gave the keeper no chance with a first time shot from 12 yards. The game looked over but then a baffling penalty award brought the teams level. Aquinas equalised from the spot and extra-time loomed. However, in stoppage time Paul Convery forced home a corner from close range and Rovers secured a deserved victory.
Portaferry Rovers: A Sands, B Curran, A Mason, Ge Curran, Ga Curran, P Convery, B Fitzsimmons, D McCarthy, M Doran, A McAvera. Subs: G Mason, N Kelly
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