McFrederick the star in shoot-out win for ‘Law

Editorial Department • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Lisbellaw United overcame Strathroy Harps in a well contested Kennedy Cup final at Michael Connolly Park, Kesh on Tuesday evening.

Lisbellaw United 1; Strathroy Harps 1; (Lisbellaw won on penalties)

Lisbellaw United overcame Strathroy Harps in a well contested Kennedy Cup final at Michael Connolly Park, Kesh on Tuesday evening.

In a hard fought contest, it was the Fermanagh side that defeated their Tyrone rivals following a tense penalty shoot-out. After 90 minutes the tie had finished 1-1 but Lisbellaw held their nerve and lifted the Kennedy Cup.

It was a game which was certainly not short of major incidents; both sides finished the regulatory 90 minutes with ten men.

Lisbellaw United dominated the early proceedings of the tie and they got their just reward when summer acquisition Davy Little crossed superbly into the box for Raymie Carroll to nod home at the back post.

Strathroy responded well but the Lisbellaw defence held firm with Carroll particularly impressive in the Lisbellaw rearguard.

The Tyrone side continued their revival in the second half and finally got the all important equaliser. Some sloppy Lisbellaw defending was capitalised on by a Strathroy forward and a pulled back cross into the box found Gary McHugh, who tapped in from close range.

Shortly after the Strathroy equaliser came two controversial dismissals. Darren Rogers appeared to make a rash challenge on a Strathroy player and was immediately red-carded.

In the fracas which followed, Sloan also found himself sent off for the Omagh based side, leaving both sides with only ten players each.

Lisbellaw had former Armagh keeper Willie McFrederick to thank for keeping the scores level when he saved well from McHugh shortly after the two dismissals.

However, it was Lisbellaw who finished the game in control and Matthew McFrederick went close with an effort with only a few minutes to go in the tie.

Nevertheless neither side could break the deadlock so it was inevitable that the game would go to penalty kicks.

It was McFrederick in the Lisbellaw goal who was ultimately the game winner; he pulled off three fantastic saves in the penalty shoot-out.

Following successful attempts from skipper Kyle McCleery and Paul Baron, keeper McFrederick was left with the final kick of the shoot-out and he slotted home to hand Lisbellaw the Kennedy Cup.

The charity for this year’s Kennedy Cup was CLIC Sargent.

On Saturday Lisbellaw open their defence of the Mercer Cup with a home tie against newly promoted Enniskillen Rangers.

Strathroy will hope to bounce back from relegation from Division One last season, with an early win away at Mountjoy Reserves.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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