Cooke nets Wanderers winner

Foyle Wanderers...(3) 3

Bennett O.G. (6); McCradden PEN (14); Cooke (38)

Comber Rec II...(1) 2

Reid (20); Whitehead (81)

FIRST half goals ensured Foyle Wanderers over came a spirited Comber Rec II side and progressed to the fifth round of the Coca/Cola Irish Junior Cup, on Saturday.

The talented James McCradden showed super skill in glimpses, while Michael Allen up front tormented the Comber men throughout and skipper Nigel Campbell was a rock at the back for Wanderers.

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Wanderers broke the deadlock after six minutes when Andrew Barr’s in-swinging corner from the left was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Gary Bennett.

The home side doubled their lead on 14 minutes after a tremendous Messi like run by McCradden, saw him skip away from a few Rec defenders, before he was brought down inside the area and referee Michael Connolly, who was very good throughout, pointed to the spot.

McCradden dusted himself down and calmly side footed the resulting penalty into the bottom left hand corner, sending keeper Nicky Cowdy the wrong way.

Minutes later the County Down men nearly pulled one back when Brent Reid’s right wing cross found William Gracey, his header was parried by Conor Olphert and the Wanderers keeper did well to grab the loose ball before Bennett could head home.

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Comber did manage to score on 20 minutes when Reid broke the offside trap, before guiding the ball high into the net, while on the stretch, past a flat-footed Olphert.

Just before the break the experienced David Cooke increased Wanderers lead when he slotted the ball high into the net, after Cowdy had parried the initial shot.

In a somewhat disappointing second half, compared to the free-scoring opening 45 minutes, the first real chance came just before the hour mark.

A long ball over the top meant Olphert had to race out from his goal to deny John Hunter and with the ball running loose to Comber striker Gracey, his goal bound effort was cleared off the line by the alert Thomas Wray.

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Ten minutes from time Wanderers substitute Richard Curry saw his shot from an acute angle flash just wide.

Then just as the tie looked to be petering out the visitors pulled one back when a free-kick into the Wanderers box saw Adam Whitehead out-jump the out-rushing Olphert to head home and set-up an anxious last few minutes.

The final chance of the tie came on 84 minutes when a super teasing cross from the right by Gary Canmore picked out an unmarked Gracey, but his diving header, which had Olphert beaten, clipped the top of the bar, much to the relief of both the Wanderers players and supporters.

Foyle Wanderers: Conor Olphert, Darren Moore, Simon Campbell, Thomas Wray, Nigel Campbell, James McCradden, Keith Hamilton, David Cooke, Michael Allen, Steven White, Andrew Barr. Subs: Ryan Curry for Barr (65); Brian Crumley for McCradden (71); Kyle Olphert & David Allen (not used).

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Comber Rec II: Nicky Cowdy, Gary Bennett, Adam Whitehead, Gareth Hutchinson, Neil Magowan, Brent Reid, Richard McClean, Ian Spence, John Hunter, William Gracey, Gary Canmore. Subs: Colin Miller for Hunter (71); Michael Busby for Spence (81); Jack Walker for Hutchinson (87); Scott Moore & Justin Childs (not used).

Referee: Mr Michael Connolly (Castlederg).

Cautioned: Hunter (25); Campbell (61); Whitehead (64); Hutchinson (84).

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