UCC B book Saxone Cup semi-final spot with win over Blackpool Celtic

UCC B 3 Blackpool Celtic 1

UCC B came from behind before booking their spot in the Saxone Cup semi-final after a 3-1 victory over Blackpool Celtic at the Farm.

UCC showed the necessary resilience to come back from such an early blow before composing themselves to run out worthy winners in the end.

Blackpool Celtic got off to a dream start and found themselves in front after just one minute – after making progress immediately after the kick-off, Joshua Yang cushioned a ball down for Eugene Carroll, who drilled home with aplomb.

Yang then controlled possession before twisting and tuning to rifle narrowly over with a good effort.

UCC B were starting to find their rhythm after that early setback and after stealing possession from Sean O’Halloran, Adam Lannon drilled narrowly wide before Gokhan Dunlupinar collected from a pass before firing over.

And when Adam Lannon beat his opponent, he was denied by a solid near-post save from Matthews.

UCC B were enjoying more possession now and it took a solid block from Billy Murphy to prevent Mohamad Ahmidat’s effort reaching the target.

But, UCC B were awarded for their persistence when a handball incident inside the box presented them with an opportunity and from the spot, Adam Lannon saw his well-struck penalty parried by William Matthews, but from the rebound, Lannon pounced to steer home the equaliser on 11 minutes.

The hosts came close again soon after when Kieran Maher gathered from David Foley’s cross before seeing his cracking effort deflect off a defender to whistle agonisingly past the post for a corner.

But, at the other end, Eugene Carroll was denied when the woodwork got in the way of his looping effort from outside the box.

A cross then from Kieran Maher reached Eric Montogomery, who was foiled when his first-time effort came off Billy Murphy before going out for a corner.

But when Adam Lannon found Kieran Maher with a cross, the right winger planted his effort deep into the Blackpool net to make it 2-1 to UCC B on 35.

Then, just before the break, what a chance fell for UCC B – a driving run from Kieran Maher saw him make progress, deep into the final third before picking out Mohamad Ahmidat with a glorious pass, but the left-sided winger somehow failed to make contact and a gilt-edge chance evaporated.

What a start we then saw to the second half of the contest.

Blackpool Celtic were caught completely cold when Eric Montgomery crossed for the unmarked Mohamad Ahmidat to power his header home and make it 3-1 after just two minutes of play.

A response from Blackpool then saw Craig Horgan embark on a driving run before threading a neat ball into space for Eugene Carroll, but a sharp Gerard O’Connell spotted the danger in the nick of time and smothered the threat.

Blackpool Celtic had no choice now, but to chase the game and a lovely move from them followed and ended with UCC’s Brendan Sharwin having to put in a solid block to prevent Kyle O’Keeffe’s goal-bound strike reaching the target.

Blackpool Celtic continued to enjoy a lot of possession now, but just as they were starting to knock on the door for a second, William Matthews had to make a fine save at the other end foil Mohamad El Shouky’s effort nestling in the net.

And when UCC B had finished with soaking up the pressure following Blackpool’s Trojan efforts to try and pull one back, William Matthews was again brought into play when he had to stretch to tip over from Mohamad El Shouky’s stinging effort.

Blackpool were throwing everyone forward now as Sean O’Sullivan saw his low effort dealt with competently by UCC B’s keeper Gerard O’Connell, but with the clock ticking towards its final moments, Adam Lannon nearly made it four with a free kick that struck the bar, shortly before referee Keith Haines brought closure to an enjoyable cup tie.

UCC B: Gerard O’Connell, Brendan Sharvin, David Foley, Walter Messina, Ben O’Rourke, Paul Murphy, Kieran Maher, Gokhan Dunlupinar, Eric Montgomery, Mohamad Ahmidat, Adam Lannon.

Subs: Jack Murphy for Gokhan Dunlupinar (58), Mohamad El Shouky for Mohamad Ahmidat (69), Matthew Ellis for Brendan Sharwin (69).

BLACKPOOL: William Matthews, Michael Buckley, Christopher O’Callaghan, Craig Horgan, Billy Murphy, Joshua Yang, Graham Corkery, Sean O’Halloran, Eugene Carroll, Kyle O’Keeffe, Luke O’Mahoney.

Subs: Darren Lynch for Luke O’Mahoney (40), Sean O’Sullivan for Graham Corkery (55), Jamie Lynch for Joshua Yang (65).

Referee: Keith Haines.