Goals from Quigley and Mckenna seal up historic victory for Orchard Farm in extra-time
Mulhern Cup
Orchard Farm 2 Fivemiletown United Development 0
ORCHARD Farm cemented their spot in the Mulhern Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history as extra-time goals from Sean Quigley and Fergal Mckenna were enough to eventually see off Fivemiletown United Development.
It’s been quite a turnaround for Stewart Armstrong’s side who only had one league win at the start of November but they have already avoided relegation and will now look ahead to another cup fixture.
“We’re delighted to get through,” said player/manager Armstrong after the game. “We’re going to go into the next game as massive underdogs. I assume every team will be looking to play Orchard Farm in the next round and that’s the way we like it, that’s the way we want it to be.
“We’ve overachieved this year, we looked dead and buried in Division 2 and now we’re safe with games to spare and we’re in the quarters of the Mulhern. We’ve turned a corner and it’s a massive credit to the lads and the hard work they’ve put in over the last few months and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Fivemiletown started the game with more of the ball on Saturday at the King George Playing Fields and they forced saves from Farm goalkeeper Kuba Isbaner, while Quigley had a header stopped by goalkeeper Daniel Farrell.
An uneventful second half with United again enjoying more of the possession ended goalless as the game went to extra-time, with Farm starting the better of the sides and finding the breakthrough with a few minutes played. Quigley stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to break the deadlock after he was brought down.
Fivemiletown pushed to get back into it but were unable to really worry their opponents and Fergal Mckenna ended the contest when he tapped home from Niall Cosgrove’s low cross to wrap up the win.