Sunday, April 14

Launceston Cup

(semi-final) at Launceston FC

Bridgerule 0

St Dominick 0

(Bridgerule won 6-5 on penalties)

SHAUN Clifford was the hero as Bridgerule reached their first ever Launceston Cup final, after edging out St Dominick on penalties in a tense semi-final at Pennygillam.

This was a cagey affair between two evenly matched sides and after 90 minutes no goals had been scored and the game went directly to penalties, with Bridgerule just edging the shootout, after both team completed their first five penalties scoring every one.

The strong wind and hard conditions did not prevent a good game of competitive football with St Dominick going close after 20 minutes, a shot just clipping the outside of the post.

Bridgerule responded and a Rob Pearce free-kick whistled narrowly past the post.

In the second-half, Bridgerule had the wind at their backs and had slightly more possession and had some good chances to score but Chris Lynch in the Saints goal was having a good game and pulled off a great reaction save from a Matt Marks volley, whilst Todd Peschke had a goal ruled out for offside.

St Dominick were very quick on the break however, but were very wasteful in front of goal, as they failed to test Clifford in the Bridgers goal.

The game then went to a penalty shootout witzh both team’s first five penalty takers all scoring. Todd Peschke then stepped up to tuck away the sixth kick to give Bridgerule the advantage.

Lynch was the next choice to take the kick and his shot was saved by Clifford to the delight of his team-mates.

Bridgerule will face the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Duchy League Division Two champions Altarnun and St Cleer, who are flying high in the league above.

The semi-final is again at Launceston Football Club (5pm).