Tennent’s Irish cup Round 4

Portstewart 3 Moyola Park 1

Moyola Park travelled to Seahaven to play against Portstewart for the Irish Cup 4th round tie. The fixture had previously been postponed twice due to the bad weather. Fortunately this time the tie got the go ahead although the strong sea wind was going to make it difficult for both teams on a soft, soggy pitch.

Both sides were keen to get off to a good start with Portstewart having the advantage in the first half with the strong wind behind them. On the 7th minute Black pulled the ball back for Moyola`s Taggart but his tame shot was watched wide by Madison in the Portstewart goal. Portstewart began to take control and it was no real surprise when they took the lead in the 29th minute. A shot from Dysant was saved by Farniok but the ball fell kindly to Craig Moore who calmly slotted the ball beyond Farniok to make it 1-0 to Portstewart. Portstewart thought they had doubled their lead on 34 minutes but McClements was rightfully ruled offside and the score remained 1-0. Playing into the wind was making it difficult for Moyola to get their passing game together. Two minutes from the interval and a long hopeful ball by the Portstewart defense fell into the path of Moore again and the striker made it 2-0 giving Portstewart a deserved lead at the interval.

Moyola came out for the second half seeking to make an immediate impact and get back into the cup tie. But on the 47th minute, a defensive error in the Moyola rear guard allowed Stewart to put the tie beyond Moyola with a shot into the roof of the net leaving Farniok with no chance and put Portstewart 3-0 up. Moyola huffed and puffed and started to have their best spell of the game. A Moyola corner in the 64th minute fell to Taggart and his shot went under Madison in the Portstewart goals to give Moyola a life line and leave the score 3-1. Half chances fell to both sides in the final 15 minutes but the game finished 3-1 with Portstewart progressing to the next round to face Armagh City.

Moyola Park – Farniok, Doey, Harris, McQuillan ©, Kelly, Magill, Black, McIllhattan, Dowie, Taggart, McAuley. Subs – Bradley, McNamnee, Kells

Referee – D. Harrigan