Brian McCormick Sports Cup - Area 1/4 Final
19/08/07 @ 2:00PM -- Letterbarrow Celtic 1-2 Copany Rovers (AET) -- Stanley Hammond (76), Thomas Given (107) -- Venue: Tymen

The first competitive match of the season for Copany ended with a hard-earned 2-1 extra-time win at Letterbarrow Celtic in a game played in extremely humid conditions at Letterbarrows excellent new pitch venue at Tymen. Copany were sporting their fantastic new kit, sponsored by Green Valley Health Foods, for the first time in this game.

This match itself produced very little in the way of clear-cut chances, with both sets of defenders very much in control. Copany had a goal disallowed after 15 minutes, when the Letterbarrow 'keeper spilled a long range drive, before Conal Rooney put the ball in the net. However, Rooney was adjudged to have fouled the 'keeper just before he put the ball in the net.

Letterbarrow took the lead on the half-hour mark. When a free kick was lofted into the Copany box, the Copany 'keeper misjudged the flight of the ball, and the Letterbarrow striker was left with a simple tap-in.

The second half was a pretty timid affair with the game going long spells without way of chances. Clint Walsh, making his first appearance at center-back for Copany was having an excellent match, while Aaron Scott was again bossing the center midfield in his usual style, dictating the tempo and rhythm of the Copany passing game. However, for all of Copanys possession and neat and tidy passing, they never seriously troubled the Letterbarrow defense. Although after one neat flowing move down the right hand side, Darryl Duncan whipped in a low cross which Thomas Given met first time, his rasping drive producing a top-drawer save from the Letterbarrow 'keeper.

On the seventy-sixth minute, cometh the hour, cometh the man! Stanley Hammond, on as a substitute for Conal Rooney, made a mazy dribble through the Letterbarrow midfield, before unleashing an unstoppable strike with his weaker left foot high and into the back of the Letterbarrow net. Quite a goal for somebody making their belated introduction into senior football.

And so, to the horror of both sides, benches and onlookers, the match went to extra time. With an important Premier League match due to kick off around the same time, there was only a short break before extra time commenced. The first half of extra time again produced very few chances. The decisive moment came halfway through the second period of extra time. Mark McCrea was brought down by the Letterbarrow left-back 10 yards inside and near the touchline of the Letterbarrow half. Darryl Duncan fired in a diagonal cross to the back post, where Thomas Given was free and he sent a powerful header into the corner of the net. Thomas had only came on to the field as a sub with 20 minutes to go, which meant that two substitutes had scored the Copany goals.

Stevie and Russell both left safe in the knowledge that their inspired substitutions had changed the game, even if the team didn't create enough chances in the match as a whole. Stanley Hammond was justifiably delighted with his strike which brought Copany back into the game, but it was impressive center-back Clint Walsh who picked up the 'Man of the Match' award in O'Carolans after the match.... much to Stanleys disgust. Though it was soon to get better for Stanley; he was awarded with the 'Stan of the Match Award', for being the best Stanley on the pitch.

*** Copany Rovers FC would like to announce at this stage that they do not, in any way shape or form, recognise the 'Stan of the Match' award as a proper honour. (Only kidding, Stanley!) ***

Next up is the Brian McCormick Sports Cup Area Semi-Final match away to St. Catherines on Wednesday with a 6:45 Kickoff. The match will be refereed by Bernard Foy with the winners to face either Dunkineely Celtic or Eany Celtic in the Area Final next Sunday

Copany Team:
GK - Stephen Doherty
RB - Gavin Gallagher
LB - Darren Kilpatrick
CB - William Given
CB - Clint Walsh
RM - Darryl Duncan
LM - Conal Rooney
CM - Aaron Scott
CM - Nick Maskery
CF - Paul Clarke
CF - Owen Gorman

Subs:
Stanley Hammond for Conal Rooney (57)
Thomas Given for Gavin Gallagher (70)
Mark McCrea for Nick Maskery (75)

Not Used:
Kevin Brady
David Graham
Sam Clarke