BORDER CUP 2ND ROUND
Rosemount Rec 1
Comber Rec 0
By Trevor McKay
ROSEMOUNT Rec upset the odds to knock Amateur League giants Comber Rec out of the Border Cup on Saturday.
In a game that featured a distinct lack of chances, an unlikely goal from Rosemount goalkeeper Chris Rice proved to be the eventual winner.
Neither side was able to seriously test the goalkeepers for the majority of proceedings, with much of the play contested in midfield and both defences able to stem any attacking threat.
The only real chance of the first half came in the form of a longrange strike from Comber’s Dylan Wilson, just before the interval, which drifted narrowly wide.
The match opened up in the second half and despite playing their football two leagues below their Premier Division opponents, it was the home side who gained the ascendancy.
Mason Bowater and Toby Saunders were particularly prominent, although they were well marshalled by the visitors’ back line.
The only goal of the game was bizarre to say the least, as ‘keeper Rice took a free-kick from 10 yards inside his own half and sent a high, wind-assisted ball sailing over a bemused Corey Pollock.
It was always going to take something special or different to win the game, and suffice to say, ‘keeper Rice provided just that.
In the closing stages, the referee produced a second yellow card for Bowater, sending the forward for an early bath and forcing the hosts to defend with 10 men.
Rosemount survived the final three minutes with a numerical disadvantage, pulling off a shock upset to qualify for the third round.
It was not the goalfest that the big crowd of spectators were hoping for, but Rosemount’s win certainly sent the supporters away with plenty to talk, particularly the winning goal.
