Firsts reach the Last 16 of Junior Shield 

Greenwell Star 2  – 3 Carryduff Colts

In a pulsating match watched by the i4 Sport Cameras The Colts came back from 2-0 down to secure a famous victory by 3 goals to 2 to reach the last 16 of The Toal’s Junior Shield for the first time in their history.

The Colts started the game well and should have been ahead in the first three minutes when Brownlee set McNally on his way down the right but the winger shot instead of crossing to Doherty who was alone in the box and primed to score and the keeper saved his effort.

Brownlee was again involved when he strode into the box and squared to Irwin who slotted the ball home only for the referee to disallow for offside.

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Greenwell started to get into the game with a lot of heavy challenges trying to upset the Colts players who stood up to the abuse magnificently.

However a long ball reached the chest of Devlin but fell into the path of a Greenwell player who slid in the quick centre forward who slotted home with aplomb.

Another goal soon followed from Greenwell when the Colts thought they had caught them offside only for the referee to allow the goal 2-0 Greenwell at half time and it looked like The Colts game was over.

Not when you have players of the calibre of Irwin and Brownlee up top, Cassidy and McEvoy driving the midfield, Doherty and McNally providing the speed and guile and a defensive unit of McCann, Sweeney, McDonnell, Devlin and Murphy.

These guys showed True Grit in the second half to turn this tie on its head.

First up Brownlee showing his own guile beating the keeper from 18 yards, was the fight back on ? You bet your life it was.

Next up Brownlee again showing the touch of a ballerina to move the ball past the Greenwell keeper to pass in from close range 2-2. Surely they could not go on and get a third or was this game going to extra time.

Well they answered that question by a goal set up by the experienced Doherty who set up the inspirational Irwin who poked the ball home 3-2 with 15 minutes left, surely they had done enough.

Greenwell threw everything at that defensive unit I mentioned earlier but they stood up to it well until their quick centre forward rounded Devlin who had no other choice but to take him down in the box, PENALTY.

Greenwell’s experienced player/manager lifted the ball expecting to secure a 3-3 draw with extra time and possibly penalties looming but, he had not taken into account McCann pulling off a wonderful save low to his right and make himself a Colts Hero on the day.

90 minutes were up and these guys have pulled off a magnificent result for the whole Club, and a special mention must go to the three unused substitutes Magee, Sherry and Maguire who acknowledged themselves that the game was too tight to make unnecessary changes so thank you lads from myself and John.

Roll on the next round on the 19th of January and let’s hope for a favourable draw.

Prematch refreshments were laid on by our friends at The Parador.

McCann, Sweeney, McDonnell, Devlin, Murphy, McNally, Cassidy, McEvoy, Doherty, Irwin, Brownlee.

Subs:Magee, Sherry, Maguire