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This fixture finally got underway in Porterstown Park after cancellations due to exams and holidays over recent weeks. Nevertheless the players hit the ground running and it was a hard competitive game. There was little to separate them in the end and Phoenix will continue to feel aggrieved that it was essentially a penalty decision that went against them that left them behind at the final whistle.
The game flowed from end to end, with both sides having chances. Christian Bowden went close early on but his effort was blocked on the line by the Phoenix keeper. Evan Lawlor and Lloyd Carolan had free kick opportunities from the edge of the box, but both were dealt with again by the keeper. Adam Ward’s shot was stopped by the keeper at the near post. match action
On 23 minutes, Phoenix were awarded a penalty for a hand ball by the Celtic centre half, Jordan Bowden, who had a splendid game at the back. Up stepped the Phoenix player and his shot was hard and low but it came back off the foot of the right hand post and he tapped it into the net. At first the ref was indicating a goal, but as the appeals were made that the ball had not been touched by another player, he changed his mind and a free out was awarded to the defending team. Howls of disbelief by the visitors, but the ref would not change his mind again, unlike Romain Poite who reversed his decision a couple of times at the end of the Lions' final test yesterday. It was within a couple of minutes that added salt to the wounds. The ball was played forward into the path of Christian Bowden who raced in to place the ball beyond the reach of the Phoenix keeper with a delicate chip. see goal
The second half was more of the same with chances at both ends. Charlie Mutawe was just over with his header. However, he was given his marching orders when he was dismissed for a second yellow, both bookings being very harsh. match action
Despite being reduced to 10 men, it was the excellent Adam Ward, a shoe-in for man of the match, who was to make the next decisive move. He raced in from the left before shooting low and hard past the Phoenix keeper to put 2 between the sides. see goal
Phoenix began to exert sustained pressure with the numerical advantage, and Oisin O’Donoghue had to be alert to frustrate the visitors. However with 12 minutes remaining, Phoenix got their reward for their pressure when Conor Rice netted after battling on the right hand side of the box for possession.
It was squeaky bum time now with the 10 men defending a narrow advantage, but they held on to take their place in the 3rd round draw of the Cup.