Salthill travelled down to Waterford on the Friday night and stayed in the Viking Hotel in preparation for the quarter final vs Villa FC on Saturday. Game day arrived, and all the lads looked great in their new Umbro tracksuits and their new set of Umbro jerseys.
Salthill started well and in the first 15 mins created some good shooting opportunities and some great one touch football. From the start it looked like this was going to be an easy game but far from Villa FC began to come into the game and created a few scoring changes from set plays. After one corner they scored causing a concern now for the Salthill Devon lads. Villa FC now started to come into the game with a strong defense and an impressive goalkeeper. Their midfield was busy, and the two strikers began to cause problems for Salthill Devon. However, both teams cancelled each other out till half time and the first half finished with Villa FC 1 nil up.
Was this the end of the team’s travels, no, Salthill started the second half brighter and put pressure on their back 3 defenders. Later on in the game that change to back a back 5 making it difficult for the Devon lads to break through. Salthill continued their attack but the Villa defense and goalie kept them at bay. Villa FC kept dropping into their own half from the pressure from Devon. Devon’s James Busari made a run down the wing and got taken down in the box for a penalty. Shane Befula stepped up and put it into the back of net making 1 each to both team – game on !.
Salthill kept going and it looked that this tie was headed towards extra time. Then, Harry Brown grabbed the opportunity and waltzed passed some player to put the ball into the corner of the net on the 89 min mark. Mad celebrations commenced from the travelling supporters and players. With 5 min of extra time it was squeaky bum time with Villa FC throwing everything they had but the Devon lads held strong. Full time whistle was blown, and Salthill Devon are now threw to their first Irish Cup Semi-Final in a long time.
Great team performance by everyone and a big thanks to Villa FC for their refreshments after the game. Also, a big thanks to the parents for travelling down on Friday and for our sponsors of tracksuits and jerseys and a big thank you to the Viking hotel
