Academy
- Thursday October 2nd, 2008 @ 15:29
PENALTY SHOOTOUT HEARTACHE FOR SIXTEENS
After a highly comeptitive and entertaining tie our Under 16A side suffered the heartache of losing a penalty shoot-out to Confey FC in their 1st round SFAI Cup tie.
The Saints matched and often bettered their opponents for long periods but found themselves a goal down in the early exchanges.
Parity was restored when last season's top goalscorer Martin Staunton pulled a goal back.
Pat's continued to press for a lead goal and had numerous chances, however Confey broke against the run of play and regained the lead.
Brian Gardiner's players kept doing what the had been doing all game - keeping the pressure on their opponents. Finally, as the game neared its end, a stunning 25 yard free-kick from Craig Salinger - right into the top corner - and the Saints were level.
Stuart O'Sullivan, Martin Stauton and David Haverty all converted their spot kicks but it wasn't to be enough as Confey won the shootout 5-3.
"We couldn't have asked for anything more from the lads today," said Brian Gardiner after the game, " We asked them to give us a performance and they gave it everything. Unfortunately just the result didn't happen for them."
"The lads played with great skill and matched it with their workrate and their never give up attitude. They are gelling together now and there are plenty of positives to take from the game." finished the Saints Under 16 manager.
