Idah nets injury time winner to seal dramatic cup comeback
Vuyo Mosea breaks through the Sligo defence Photo: Pat McNally
IN what was probably one of the most entertaining games played at FBD Hotels and Resorts Park since it's opening earlier this year, Klub Kildare advance to the next round of the Mark Farren U17 Cup at the expense of Sligo Rovers in on Sunday afternoon after a five goal thriller.
Thee two teams had played each other in Sligo the week in the league and that game finished 2-2 and once again this was a game packed with goalmouth incidents.
Both teams had made substitutions for this match. Klub Kildare recalled Chris Idah and Sam Neville back to the starting line up and what a difference these two made to the team.
The cup gives Klub Kildare as keep their momentum going as they have advanced to the Elite Phase while Sligo Rovers who having failed to advance to the Elite phase saw this cup game as a way to keep their season alive. After 21 minutes Klub Kildare had a shout for a penalty, but Chris Ryan waved away appeals and Sligo raced down the other end of the pitch where a despairing tackle by a Klub Kildare defender gave Chris Ryan with no option other than point to the spot. Christian Donlon- Goncalves stepped up and sent Killian Reilly the wrong way to put Sligo in front.
Sam Neville slotted home for Klub Kildare from just inside the box after thirty minutes following great work by Chris idah in controlling the ball and laying on a perfect pass for Nevile who despatched it gleefully.
It is only fair that referee Chris Ryan must be congratulated on playing the advantage rule and let play run as Idah was fouled in the build- most referees would have blown for a free kick but Ryan let the game flow and Kildare took full advantage.
The game was being played at a frantic pace and Klub Kildare were thankful to Luke Burke who raced back and made a goal line clearance to keep Sligo at bay.
With half time looming a defensive error saw Corey Mc Cay-Lavery pounce to put Sligo ahead again.
Jamie Broughall made two changes at half time. The changes did not appear to make much difference to the side.
Both sides created chance but with both keepers in fine form neither team were able to get a foothold. Just as if it appeared that Sligo would win up stepped Idah with an equaliser in the eighty eight minute.
At this stage the Sligo Rovers keeper saw red for something that was said to the referee and that gave Kildare the impetus to push for a winner in the closing stages and once again, as it has been so often this season, Idah was the hero for his team when he scored a memorable winning goal in the minute of injury time.
This a huge victory for Jamie Broughall’s side and this win puts them in the second round of the Cup.
A great win with superb performances from Luke Burke, Sam Cooke, Moses Uchendu Sam Neville and man of the match Chris Idah
Under 20 Enda Mc Gill Cup Klub
Kildare 1 Dundalk 2
In a keenly contested game Dundalk ran out victorious over Klub Kildare with an injury time winner.
Muhammad Harris opened the scoring for Dundalk after 20 minutes. Ten minutes later Michael Gnutek equalised.
With extra time looming Aaron Donnelly popped up for the winner for Dundalk to put them into the next round.
KLUB KILDARE: Mark Butler GK, Alex Malone, Jamie Byrne, Caden Walsh CP, Egor Vassenin, Callum Crowley, Michael Gnutek, Sam Kelly, Chidozie Roland Uzoma, Mark Canavan, Vuyolwethu Mosea Subs: Killian Reilly GK, Aodh Conway GK, Moses Alabi, Bahn Delemere, Odhran Cleary, Job Makiese, Alex Browne
DUBDALK: Samuel Safaei GK, Luke Povall, Benjamin Fagbemi, Vincent Leonard, Tom McLoughlin, Scott Brady CP, Conor O'Gorman, Luke Mulligan, Muhammad Haris, Fionn McNamara, Aidan Russell Subs: Jack O'Flaherty, Davin O'Connor, Cian Spaight, Stephen Brady, Aaron Donnelly, Callum Bonny.
OTHER RESULTS:
Under 14: Klub Kildare 0 Shelbourne 6
Under 15: Bohemians 9 Klub Kildare 0
