Football: Moyola Park run Glentoran close in League Cup

Moyola Park 1 Glentoran 2 -Moyola Park ran Glentoran close in last week’s Wasp Solutions League Cup Round Two tie at a well attended Mill Meadow.
Action from Moyola Park's clash with GlentoranAction from Moyola Park's clash with Glentoran
Action from Moyola Park's clash with Glentoran

Whilst Glentoran created numerous chances throughout the 90 minutes their inability to kill off the Moyola Park side left the travelling supporters on edge until the final whistle.

The visitors first opportunity came in the third minute when Johnny Addis played a great through ball to Curtis Allen.

Allen’s shot was on target but well saved by Moyola Park’s keeper Marty Farniok who was the busiest man on the pitch during the game.

Chris Keenan was called into action in the 17th minute when Chris Dowie latched onto a Farniok kick out but the keeper, quick off his line, averted the danger.

Midway through the half Fra McCaffrey found Marcus Kane on the edge of the penalty area but his attempt on goal went wide of the target.

Glentoran broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Jordan Young slammed the ball home following a McCaffrey cross.

During the remainder of the half Farniok made a string of excellent saves foiling Allen, Marcus Kane, Jim O’Hanlon and a 30 yard bullet from Addis.

Glentoran were to rue those first half missed chances when with less than a minute gone in the second half when Addis handled in the penalty area.

Dowie stepped up and levelled the tie from the penalty spot, sending Keenan the wrong way. Three minutes later Michael Walsh found space just inside the Glentoran penalty area but his shot was dragged just wide of the visitors’ goal with Keenan beaten.

Stewart and Allen both had efforts saved by Farniok before Stephen McAlorum collected the ball some 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot into the Moyola Park net in the 62nd minute.

Moyola Park almost snatched an equaliser when Eugene Gallagher took advantage of an error by Keenan but the Glentoran custodian made amends diverting Gallagher’s shot wide.

Despite the best efforts of the Premiership side the Moyola Park defence held firm for the remainder of the game.

This was an outstanding performance by Mervyn Pattison’s side to hold a team from two divisions higher to a one goal victory. Everybody played their part but especial credit must go to Marty Farniok for an outstanding performance during the entire game.

Moyola Park: Farniok, McAllister, Stewart, McQuillan, Kelly, Walsh, Lucas (McCabe), Gallagher, Dowie, Waddell (David Paul), Jason Paul (Deane). Subs (unused): Kenning, Curtis.

Glentoran: Keenan, Garrett, Kane (McCullough), McCaffrey, Birney, Allen, Stewart, Henderson (Nelson), McAlorum, O’Hanlon (Scullion), Addis. Subs (unused): Clarke, Holland. Referee: Keith Kennedy.

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