Super Mario nets winner as Bay stun Harps
BAY pulled off what could be the result of the season as they knocked out current premier division leaders Boyne Harps of the Tully bookmakers cup on Sunday morning, running out 3-2 winners at the Muirhevnamor astro pitch.
Mark Larkin set the tone early on with a bullet of a free kick that was brilliantly saved by Boyne keeper Jack Boylan.
Boyne had the ball in the back of the home net but Guy Bates was ruled offside before he finished. Shaun O’ Connor was played in by Paddy Connor but the winger blasted his shot over the bar.
Boyne pressed late in the half but Kevin Mullen and his defence marshalled the Boyne front line well.
The deadlock was broken two minutes before the interval. A fantastic through ball by Connor split the Boyne defence and as the ‘keeper sprinted out winger Kevin Scollon caught it on the half volley and lobbed the advancing keeper to send Bay in one up at the break.
Boyne came out after the break with a point to prove and had the lion’s share of possession and grabbed the equaliser when the ball came across the Bay six yard box and Graham Reynolds was there to tap home from close range.
Boyne pressed their possession home ten minutes later as they took the lead. Guy Bates with a fantastic finish curled the ball into the far corner with little or no room. Graham Reynolds of Boyne Harps attempts a shot at goal during the Challenge Cup match at Muirhevnamor. Photos: Ken Finegan
Moments later the visitors nearly made it 3-1, but for a fine finger tip save by Bay ‘keeper Mullen.
It looked like Bay’s chances of progressing were fading away but they kept their heads and kept playing football. Their patience paid off when substitute Gavin Donnelly spun on a six pence and played O’Connor through one on one.
The winger finished superbly to level matters.
It was set up for a grandstand finish and Bay duly delivered with little or no time left. Connor played a ball over the top and substitute Mario Kolak took his time and slotted it into the bottom corner to send the Bay camp into raptures. BAY: Kevin Mullen, Brian McCloskey, Joe Woods, Angelo Stanley, Pairic Browne, Kevin Scollon (Steven McGuinness 75), Shaun O’Connor, Anto McLaughlin (Johnny Winters 60), Paddy Connor, Mark Larkin (Gavin Donnelly 65), Alan McCartney (Mario Kolak 75).