Clifford Cup: Lusk Utd 2 OLV 2 (R. Keogh, N. Ferry) OLV Win 3-2 on Penalties

OLV won this Clifford Cup tie on 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 finish but the win was thoroughly deserved.  The first half had just gotten underway when Lusk Utd took the lead with a goal that should have never stood.  A through ball to a Lusk forward in an offside position was put away and the uphill task had began, 1-0.

OLV then had a penalty mid way through the first half which was saved by the Lusk Utd keeper. OLV were dominant for long spells of the first half and had many chances to get back on level terms, but that first goal was proving very elusive.  It was a superb team effort that just needed someone to connect properly and OLV would be right back in the game.  Halftime 1-0

While pushing forward with wave after wave of attack, it seemed inevitable that the next goal would be scored by a rampant OLV.  Unfortunately though, it was a lapse of concentration from central defender Bart Kavanagh that gifted Lusk Utd goal number 2 and left OLV with a mountain to climb.  2-0 down with 55mins gone but still time for OLV to comeback!

James Coates was breaking up everything that came his way in the middle of the park and Pat Heary was working well alongside him.  Most of the supply was going out to Gordon Farrell on the right wing who gave Lusk all sorts of problems in his man of the match performance.  Chance after chance was being spurned until Rory Keogh finally broke the OLV duck and it was game on.  2-1

The lusk defence was now rocking as the OLV machine pushed forward in search of an equalising goal and with 10 mins left on the watch, Neil Ferry stepped up and grabbed the equaliser.  A goalward effort from Rory Keogh was helped past the Lusk keeper by Ferrier who deservedly got his name on the scoresheet, after his own wonderful performance. 2-2

Derek Ward had a fantastic game in goal and warded off any further threat from lusk, with a couple of fine saves.  Full Time 2-2

Penalties;

Wardy saved the frist two Lusk penalties and it stood at 2-2 on penalties when Farreller stepped up to take the last regulation penalty.   He duly dispatched it into the back of the net and his winning penalty was no more than he deserved for a truly brilliant performance.

Lusk. X. X. 1. 2. X
OLV. 1. X. X. 2. 3