March 6th 2010 – Away

Clarence Cup

Holywood v Orangefield 1st XI

Third round of the Clarence Cup and it was down to Seapark for Orangefield to face Holywood FC. A difficult game, but no pressure on Orangefield as the opponents were two divisions above in the Premier Section of the Amateur League.

The manager got the tactics spot on from the first whistle as Orangefield started well, making good use of the space on the big pitch and getting the ball early into the front men. Fifteen minutes in and good work on the left resulted in a free kick just outside the Holywood box. Dean Cousins stepped up and struck the free kick which looked to be heading wide, only for a Holywood defender to deflect it into his own net. Cousins definitely won’t be claiming that one!

Orangefield now had the momentum and went looking for a second goal. Passing throughout the team though started to let the away side down, and Holywood were able to start picking up loose balls and run at the Orangefield defence on the break. Ryan Hardy and Tony Craig both made good challenges during this period of play to break things up, so Taylor wasn’t overly troubled in the Orangefield goal and didn’t have to make too many hard stops.

The passing picked up again and Cousins got a hold of the ball in midfield. With a couple of one-twos the ball was passed into Holywood box, Harvey got control and was able to slot past the keeper and a sliding Holywood defender, doubling Orangefield’s lead.

Half-time: 0 - 2

With Orangefield looking to get the next goal and kill the tie off, it was a blow when central midfielder Tony Craig had to go off with chest pains. With three good options on the bench, it was a surprise when the manager brought on a defender, but this proved a masterstroke when he moved Sam McNaul into midfield and brought Dorny into the centre of defence. McNaul immediately got the game moving again for Orangefield, but it was from a Holywood corner that the next goal came. A ball in from the left side went unchallenged, and the ball was flicked into the Orangefield net. A poor goal to give away and one that should have been defended better by the keeper and outfield players alike.

This gave Holywood back some momentum in the game, and ten minutes after their first, the home team scored a second. A loose ball bobbling around the box wasn’t cleared, and a Holywood player was able to slot home from six yards out.

The game was evenly balanced now and could have gone either way, both teams having chances to win. Taylor made a good stop low down from a decent strike from a Holywood front man. Orangefield went forward again, Nathan O’Neill doing well when he came on and getting some good balls into the box.

Time ran out though and it was extra time to settle the tie.

Full-time: 2 – 2

In the first period of extra time, the game still could have gone either way, but it was Orangefield who looked the more likely to win when they got the next goal. O’Neill again played a good ball into the box, Harvey controlling it well on his chest and knocking it past the keeper. A well deserved goal for the hard work put in by him on the day. Holywood had a couple of half chances, but were unable to get another one back.

Orangefield might have scored another two in the second period of extra time, but Harvey had dried up for the day, missing an open goal after rounding the keeper, and blasting high and wide from a position he has relished all season. No matter though, as the final whistle went and it’s into the last sixteen and a home tie against Ardglass to look forward to.

AET: 2 - 3

Lineup: G.Taylor, R. Hardy, S. McNaul, A. D’Arcy (Capt), J.Gibson, B.Reynolds, T. Craig, D.Cousins, D.Tittensor , C.Dempster, C.Harvey Subs:, N.O’Neill, Dornan, R.McNaul.