Bay cry foul as Virgina find a bit extra

BAY welcomed the current third division leaders and champions elect to Dundalk in mid week for this eagerly anticipated semi-final in the O’Neill Shield that produced a fine spectacle for the neutral but for the hosts there was the sour taste of being turned down two penalty claims, one that seemed cast iron at the death.

Coming off the back of four league wins on the bounce, Bay started with the most intent. Damien Bailey turned his marker inside out twice inside the box only to smash a shot straight off the ‘keeper.

Both defences were on top form with Mario Kolak clearing every high ball thrown his way in the half, and the visitors got no change from the home rearguard with Kolak’s centre back partner Ciaran Boland marshalling it well.

Anton Webb went on a mazy run from midfield, flying past three players before cutting back inside and unleashing a ferocious shot that forced a finger tip save from the keeper who pushed it over the bar. Despite having the better of the half Bay went in all square at the break.

Virginia had the lion’s share of the ball after the break and worked it well in midfield to create a few chances that ‘keeper Kevin Mullen dealt with well.

It was one-way traffic until Bay got a foothold in the game with 20 minutes to go. Bailey went close with a well struck volley that looked goal bound only to take a deflection off a defender and drift agonisingly past the far post.

A couple of set pieces at either end provided some nervy moments for both sides but both defences dealt with them well and so it was into extra time.

Five minutes into the first period a soft handball call gave Virginia a free on the edge of the box. A peach of a cross was met with an unstoppable bullet like header from six yards to give Virginia the lead.

With 15 minutes left Bay piled on the pressure. Kolak moved from defence and in the second period had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee.

With time running out a beautiful through ball by Neven Novosel to Anton Webb led to another penalty appeal which again fell on deaf ears.

Virginia meet division 4 runners up Park Celtic Summerhill in the final.

Bay must win their last league game against BJD Celtic to keep their faint hope of promotion alive with the shock expulsion of Rathmullen Celtic so late in the season. They are reliant though on Albion taking no more than a point from their last two games. BAY: Kevin Mullen, Robbie Rafferty, Steven McGuinness, Ciaran Boland (Paddy McShane 112), Mario Kolak, Aaron Kelly (Danny Berry 72), Afonso Crespo (Dillon Curran 90), Peter Sweeney, Neven Novosel, Anton Webb, Damien Bailey (Angelo Stanley 92).