Tummery Athletic 3 Sandy Hill 1

Tummery Athletic booked their place in the next round of the fonaCAB Junior Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sandy Hill at Crawford’s Lane on Saturday.

The visitors had taken an early lead in the contest but Tummery were back on level terms by the break thanks to a Martin Hughes header.

And second half goals from player-manager Ryan Hanna and Martin Hughes sealed Tummery’s progress.

Hanna was pleased to get through to the next round.

“That’s what it was all about. I thought we were poor in the first half and had no rhythm to our play although in fairness to Sandy Hill they didn’t allow us to play.

“We made changes though at half time and we got more impetus.

“We played really well in that 10 or 15 spell after half time and that was when we got our two goals and from that we managed the game well through to the end,” said Hanna.

Tummery had began the game brightly and Martin Hughes should have put them ahead after only three minutes when he rounded the Sandy Hill goalkeeper but his touch let him down and the keeper was able to get back and gather the ball.

And two minutes later Sandy Hill took the lead as James McCoy’s 25 yard strike slipping through the clutches of home keeper Niall McCrory.

This was the start of a good spell for the away side who had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Cathal McCrory while they then had a header that went narrowly wide at the back post.

With 14 minutes on the clock though Tummery equalised as Hughes headed to the roof of the net from a delightful cross from player boss Hanna.

And the home side could have got their noses in front but Oisin Gormley headed over at the back post when unmarked as it remained 1-1 at the break.

Tummery went on to dictate the play in the second period and they took the lead three minutes after the resumption.

Declan McNulty’s defence splitting free kick picked out Hanna and he slotted home to make it 2-1.

And four minutes later it was 3-1 as Hughes bagged his second of the game. James Garrity and Aidy McCaffrey combined to put Paudi Dillon in on goal and the goalkeeper could only parry his effort out to Hughes who thumped it to the net to give the home side a two goal cushion.

Sandy Hill did see plenty of the ball in the final quarter of the contest but Tummery held firm at the back to put their name in the hat for the next round.

It is back to the league this weekend for Tummery with an away game against Rangers.

“Rangers have been in a good run of form so it will be tough but we’re looking forward to it,” added Hanna.