Match of the Week: ROC edged out by Harding in cup

TWO GOALS in added time for Harding IF FC finally killed off a brave challenge from ROC Celtic, in this FAI Junior Cup clash in Ringsend Park on Saturday afternoon.

A 3-1 win in the home sides favour sees them set up a meeting with Mid Sutton Sportslink in round four, but this could well have been a different outcome had ROC had 11 players on the field.

The Ballyfermot outfit started really well in this game and could have been a couple in front had they finished some decent opportunities.

They had a fair share of the ball in the opening half, and their only reward was a neat finish by Brad Herbert when he slipped home a Dillon Sheridan centre on 38 minutes.

It was well deserved, but by half time the game went pear shaped for them as first the home side drew level, when Jason Ashmore beat the offside trap and, as keeper Sean Power came out to close the gap, he slipped the ball into Niall Shelton for a simple tap-in.

Then, a matter of minutes later, ROC were reduced to 10 men as Herbert got a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in frustration.

It meant a change in formation in the second half, as they decided to try contain Harding and catch them on the break.

For the opening 15 minutes it was one[1]way traffic with Marcus Parsley clipping the upright with a free kick, and two efforts flying across the face of an open ROC goal.

Things were looking good for the visitors as the clock ran down, and we entered added time, but then disaster struck as they conceded a second.

Craig O’Brien only had to put the ball in Row Z, but opted to play out from the back, he got caught out and Andres Saint De Murieta happily slipped the ball home.

Then, with time almost up, Skelton smashed home a beauty from the edge of the area to book their place in the fourth round.

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