Challenge Cup Round 3

How did we win that one?????

A truly awful performance by Balally but we somehow clawed our way back into the game and won it in the dying moments.

The game was delayed starting because some Dollymount players were lost or stuck in traffic. They had to start with only 10 men but that didn't deter the away side. Playing against the wind, with 10 men and they're centre half as stand-in goalkeeper, they grabbed the lead after only a couple of minutes with a screaming left foot dipping volley that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced back up into the roof of the net. Balally never got going in the first half and at times looked like the lower division side. All credit to Dollymount who really put it up to us and only for a couple of great saves from Marty we could have been further behind. Luckily it only finished 1-0 to Dollymount at the break.

Despite some stern words from the gaffer the second half began exactly like the first. Balally gave the ball away straight from the kick off and a deflected shot gave Marty no chance. 2-0 and all at sea.

This seemed to finally wake Balally up and Donal scored right away with a neat finish in the far corner. Game on? Answer was yes and we equalised 5 minutes later. Gonzo through on goal the centre half made great tackle but the ball ricocheted back to Paddy who headed into an empty net.

Chances for both sides before Dollymount took the lead again. A corner from Balally's right hand side was whipped in deep to the back post. We thought it was going out but fair play to the centre half who nodded it back across the 6 yard box and they had an easy tap in. Game looked to be Dollymount's but we knew there was still time to create more chances. 

3 minutes to go and we grabbed the equaliser. A great through ball and a neat finish from Beggsey, 3-3. It was looking like extra time now but in injury time a last ditch tackle gave Balally a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Paddy stepped up and rifled a bullet past the wall and the keeper. 

There was some handbags between our striker and Dollymount's but the referee blew the final whistle. The referee then made some strange comments that our player threatened him!!! It was bizarre to say the least but could be very serious for our player if upheld by the league.

We were too relaxed at the start, thought it would be walk in park, but all credit to the Dollymount lads. They really put it up to us and on another day they could so easily have been looking at last 16. Serious questions for us. Let's see how we respond in training and the next game.