Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BEN STRIKES LATE..
Napier in right spot to bag an extra-time win and book Shield final date for Doyle
BEN NAPIER grabbed an extra-time winner to send Doyle into the final of the Daily Mirror Lisburn Junior Invitational League’s under-14 Shield competition.
They will play Tollymore Youth, 6-1 winners against Wàrrenpoint Youth, in the final.
But spare a thought for the Dromara Youth goalkeeper on a wet and windy day.
He spilled a long hopeful ball into the box with 14 minutes of the first period of extratime gone and Napier reacted quickly to stick the loose ball into the net.
There was little time for Dromara to react in the second period but on reflection Doyle Youth just about deserved a place in the final as they held the edge on in difficult conditions.
The first half divulged no hint of what was about to come as it ended scoreless, though both teams fought against a persistent wind. Doyle finally broke the deadlock following a move up the left and the cross into the area was finished at the back post by Shea Mcmahon.
Dromara came fighting back and were rewarded with 15 minutes left when a corner was headed into the Doyle net by Ryan Gates.
Both teams went looking for a winner after that but despite great efforts neither could find the decisive goal and extra-time was needed to decide the issue.
Doyle manager Stephen Napier said the boys played really well in difficult conditions and he was pleased with the way they fought fòr each other.
He added: “It was difficult to play good football but the boys showed a lot of character.”
Dromara boss Roy Carmichael agreed that good football was not often possible and the two teams had to show their battling qualities.
He said: “It was a good game and I thought Doyle just about deserved to reach the final.”