Patterson heads Courts to victory

A Kolyn Patterson header right at the death of extra-time saw Lincoln Courts complete a remarkable comeback to defeat Ardoyne WMC 3-2 in Saturday's Coca/Cola Irish Junior Cup.

Trailing 2-0 mid-way through the second half the Waterside men produced an unbelievable fight back to book their place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition.

The match which started at a very fast pace should have seen the home side take the lead after just ten minutes when Billy Hutchman's strike rattled the crossbar after good work from Murray and Patterson.

Leading marksman Mark Hamilton also came close and with just the keeper to beat he saw his effort saved by the keeper's legs.

Ardoyne were always a threat on the counter-attack, but Steve McIntyre and Trevor McDermott were both in fantastic form at the back for Courts.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 55 minutes when they caught the home side on the break and the impressive PJ O'Neill finished well and they doubled their advantage soon after when another quick counter-attack saw speedy striker Stephen Murphy break the offside trap and fire home.

To their credit Lincoln Courts kept pushing forward and they hit the woodwork minutes later when left-back Dean Cooke's super free-kick to the back post found Patterson but his header came back off the bar.

Another Cooke delivery, this time from a corner, found an unmarked Hamilton at the back post and he gleefully volleyed home through a ruck of players.

On 77 minutes Stephen Nicholl's side levelled things when Hamilton's pass released Steve Mooney and his low centre from the right was bundled into the net by Jason Hay and thus sending the tie into extra-time.

Both side had good chances in extra-time, with Patterson hitting the bar again with another header, while Scott Thomas also headed over when it looked easier to score: but the winner did come 30 seconds from time.

Another teasing Cooke free-kick found Patterson unmarked at the back post and the man of the match made no mistake this time, powerfully heading home from close range.