25/03/2006

Carlsberg Cup 2nd Round

Lisnafillan Swifts 3 - 1 Braid United

Lisnafillan went into this cup tie without regular starters Roy Calderwood, George Lynn, Adrian McGarry, top goalscorer Simon Murray and the currently injured Trevor McAleese. With the squad stretched to its limits the third division outfit were not hopeful of a positive outcome considering that the last time the two met the Braid men dished out a 9-2 thrashing to the league new boys.

Two years on from that encounter shows just how much Lisnafillan have progressed as a club. Every member of the squad maintained a high level of performance, especially those younger members who got their chance due to the absence of others.

This tie got off to a cagey start with Braid forcing their point early on. They played a lot of direct balls forward to their giant striker who was marshalled well by Swifts' man of the match Richard Young. It took Lisnafillan's make shift midfield a while to get on top of their Braid counterparts in order to stem the creative flow, but when they cut out the threat from United's front men there was no looking back.

With only two subs on the line, Lisnafillan had not hoped to be forced into a change so early as the twentieth minute, but unfortunately Phil Allister had not fully recovered from a recent virus and had to be replaced by Russell Craig who himself is just returning from injury. This meant a further reshuffle in the ranks but worked out to be very effective. Craig was only on the pitch for ten minutes when his tireless running created his and the Swifts' first opportunity of the tie. Greg Marrs played a speculative ball wide down the right channel which Russell Craig pressured, forcing the Braid right back into a panicked back pass. The Braid 'keeper was let down by a heavy first touch which came directly to the feet of Craig who despatched what was still a very difficult effort into a gaping net to put the Swifts 1-0 up by half-time.

Half-time: 1-0

Braid came out fighting from the start of the second half but began to leave space at the back as they pushed for an equaliser. Swifts' new boy, Simon Brown was taking full advantage and almost set up Russell Craig for a second before going close himself, firing across the net and just beyond the far post. He was unlucky again soon after when his cross come shot had the 'keeper beaten but just flew over the bar.

Braid were restricted to a few long range efforts from their Romanian front man which were equalled by Damien O'Hagan in nets. The second division team were exerting more pressure so with twenty-five minutes remaining Lisnafillan introduced Rodney Beggs who was carrying a knock from the previous week. The big man moved up front and ensured that the ball stayed further up the pitch, giving the Swifts' defence a little breathing space.

It wasn't long until Beggs was in the middle of the action. He fed off another excellent cross from Brown only to have his effort cleared off the line. Greg Marrs was first to the rebound but headed high and wide.

Beggs' introduction was the catalyst to ignite the Swifts and he was soon on the score sheet. Greg Marrs broke up a Braid attack in midfield and quickly fed Russell Craig who immediately lofted an accurate pass over the top to Beggs. His turn of speed took him clear of the Braid defence where he lobbed the ball over the 'keeper who had been too quick to commit himself and extended the Swifts' lead to 2-0. 

Beggs was getting a lot of close attention now but managed to work some space on the left wing. He played a one, two inside to Jay Russell who released him into the corner. Beggs ran at his man along the goal line towards the 18 yard box and played in a pass to Russell Craig which was intercepted and came straight back to him. He was forced into a reaction shot from inside ten yards which he cleverly drove with the outside of his left foot, curling it inside the 'keeper at the near post making it 3-0 to Lisnafillan.

The Broughshane men didn't lie down and with the game all but over they were awarded a penalty. Their right winger got the wrong side of Chris McQuoid and went down inside the box. Braid scored from the spot which proved to be consolation as the ref blew for full time on the restart.

Full-time: 3-1

Overall a great day for an understrength Lisnafillan who now go into the third round of the Carlsberg Cup for the first time in their short history.