Year 10 pay the penalty in Northern Ireland Cup
It was a bridge to far for the Year 10 squad as they lost out 5-4 on penalties against Holy Cross school from Strabane in the NI Cup fourth round. A slow start saw the locals go one nil down early on before two quick fire goals from Kaeden Anderson saw them go into the half time break in the lead. A stern team talk at half time paid dividends as very quickly they had a two goal lead, Lewis Tennant rising highest to direct Ashton Thompsons corner into the back of the net. The team rallied in the second half with Lewis Tennant striking the cross bar with a twenty five yard free kick whilst goalkeeper Jakub Koscielniak kept any Holy Cross attack at bay. Opposition pressure was soon rewarded as Holy Cross scored two fine goals to level the game and took it into extra time.
Tired legs and minds in extra time saw the Cullybackey defence tire and they were soon 4-3 down thanks to a goal direct from a corner. Not to be outdone, Lewis Tennant was tumbled in the penalty box and Cullybackey man of the match Cameron McMullan despatched the spot kick to force a penalty shootout. Both teams missed one kick each in normal kicks and it was Holy Cross who emerged victorious in sudden death kicks. A truly magnificent display by the Pottinger Street men who were moments away from a last eight spot in the Northern Ireland Cup.