26th April 2010

ASHFIELD PREVAIL IN SHOOT-OUT

Penalties were needed at Harold Rossiter Reserve where Ashfield held their nerve to out-shoot Shamrock Rovers 5-3 in front of a big crowd. The lead changed hands five times in regulation time, which finished 3-3, before Ashfield prevailed in the shoot-out. Shamrock’s slick movement of the ball had the visitors under pressure early, Nick Carroll and Damien Smyth linking to great effect down the left. By contrast Ashfield rarely looked like getting an early goal, although they were presented a couple of half chances courtesy of Shamrock’s failure make some standard clearances. Robbie Fanning was on the receiving end of three crosses before the Shamrock striker finally found his measure, leaping high to head in a Nick Carroll cross.

The teams were left soon enough as Gareth Lloyd took a couple of touches wide on the left before swinging a cross to the far post where Mitch Castrilli’s downward header was on target. Shamrock weren’t about to be put off by this setback with James Kilbee restored their lead with a classy lob after being set-up by Fanning. However, Ashfield were just as determined and Jon Greenwood restored parity by heading into the net after Joe Woodin’s chip shot came back off the post. A rash challenge on 16-year old Jake Cornell resulted in a penalty that Greenwood duly converted to give Ashfield the lead. There’d be further disappointment for Shamrock before the half was out, striker Kilbee forced out of the game with a suspected fractured cheekbone following an accidental clash with Todd Busby.

The second half was a much tighter affair with the standard of football dropping away but not the intensity with which it was played. With the visitors showing signs of tiring, Shamrock increased the tempo but could only manage to create on a couple of genuine chances, the best of which was a Fanning header that Busby pushed away. A couple of swift counterattacks almost conjured Ashfield what would have been a sealing goal, however, just ten minutes from the end Sean Brooks fired into the bottom corner after some fine lead-up play to make it three-all. Shamrock enjoyed the better of the first period of extra-time with Ashfield controlling the second, but with neither able to score the game was sent to a shoot-out. (courtesy www.footballwa.net.au)