Pike Rovers 2-2 Ballynanty Rovers (A.E.T. - Pike win 4-2 on penalties)
A late equaliser from substitute John Boyle denied Ballynanty a huge 15/2 upset here in the Sports Ground. Balla opened the scoring early in the first half - a free kick on the right connecting with the head of Dermot Fitzgerald. After the goal however, Balla retreated into their own half and gave Pike far too much time on the ball. They were forming a bank of five in front of the defence, which meant that Conor Kavanagh was able to drop off and play balls to the wings. And it was from the right wing that the equaliser eventually came. Tierney joined Mick Aherne on that side, overloading Balla left winger Tony Fahy. His great inswinging cross was despatched by Alan Barry. 1-1. It was a somewhat controversial goal however, as it was well into first-half injury time.
Second half, Balla pushed up a bit higher, obviously realising they were too deep. They started getting tighter in midfield and it paid dividends when they went 2-1 up, again from a set piece - Tony Fahy the scorer. However the old pattern emerged again, and Balla again dropped off too deep, allowing man of the match Conor Kavanagh to run the show. Despite this, Balla had a chance to wrap it up on the break. All game I had been saying that Kelleher was the wrong man to have upfront when sitting deep. A paceman who can run the channels was needed. Robbie got through behind the defence but he couldn't pull away from his man, and keeper Gary Neville came out to thwart him. Eventually Balla took off Robbie (who worked hard in fairness) and put Fahy upfront. But he was off colour and his first touch was atrocious at times.
Pike were camped in Balla's half for the last twenty minutes, and eventually the equaliser came. A silly unnecessary challenge from Fahy resulted in a Tierney free kick. Sub John Boyle got away from fellow sub Dara Droog at the back stick to send the game into extra time.
The 20 minute period of extra time was relatively uneventful, with both teams tired. Pike were always favourites for the penalties, and so it proved, Kevin Nolan missing the decisive penalty and Colm Enright converting the winner.
An exciting but poor quality game. Pike will have to improve greatly if they are to retain their title. Boris Hanrahan in particular was incredibly poor and stormed off into the stands when subbed. Moloney also had a big off day. The centre of midfield is a formidable area for them though, and Tierney and Kavanagh dominated today against Doran, Brock and Lee. Balla can take heart from this, but simple tactical errors like not putting someone goalside of Kavanagh in open play, and not putting a channel runner up top cost them. Also, fitness constantly seems to be an issue for them.
