Underdogs are through

SECOND Division Caw met first Division Park on Saturday in the first round of the City Cup in a game where Park where the favourites to progress.

In what had been a rain free week the Park pitch was still very heavy and uneven, which wouldn't suit the passing game of Caw.

The visitors started brightly and threatened the Park goal several times in the opening stages but failed to capitalise. Park realised they were in for a game and it wasn't just a matter of turning up.

Park's main threat came from the impressive Ryan Coyle who showed his ability on the ball on a few occasions but Caw still managed to keep him and Park at bay.

Approaching half-time the ball broke outside the Caw box, the ball hit a bobble as the defender was about to clear causing him to slice the ball straight to Coyle on the edge of the box whose resulting shot cannoned off the upright and was cleared to safety.

Moments later Coyle again had a great chance when a Park striker had a shot saved by Fiffer Ross in the Caw net only for the ball to fall right at the feet of the ex-Derry City and Institute man, but he couldn't keep the ball down and blazed over with the goal gaping.

The second half started again with Caw on the front foot asking questions of Park, but failing to make the possession count.

Half way into the second half Caw were glad to see Coyle get substituted and sensed they could take this game now that Park had lost their main threat.

As the game wore on legs were getting tired and the frustration of the home side was starting to show. Late and dangerous tackles started flying in all over the pitch as the young Caw side tried to keep the tempo up. This resulted in three red cards being issued before full time, two Park players were dismissed while Caw also had a man sent-off.

Both teams could have done without extra time as they had really gave their all in a hard, physical contest. Space opened up all over the pitch now as some of the players were struggling through the pain barrier.

Penalties seemed inevitable until a tired mistake in the heart of the Caw defence allowed the Park striker one on one with Fiffer Ross in the Caw net who made himself big and the striker scuffed the ball wide.

Penalties it was, with Conor Kelpie becoming the Caw hero slotting home the winning spot-kick.

This was a good test for Caw and showed that they can not only play the pretty stuff but can also mix it when they have to. Lets hope they can carry this form into their next league match now against Ballykelly.

With the league all square at the top between Caw and Newbuildings all remaining games are massive and neither team can afford to slip up especially as the pair have to meet again, what a game that could prove to be.