THREE outstanding saves, late on, from keeper Christian Steriopulos helped holders Rushen United advance to the quarter-finals of the Cu-Plas FA Cup at the expense of a spirited Peel side, at Croit Lowey on Saturday.
The match, in fact, turned out to be an absorbing cup tie, full of action, packed with excitement and with both sides enjoying periods of pressure.
The two teams, though, took time to settle as neither had played for a month, but gradually it was the home side that began to gain the upper hand.
There was no real surprise then when the Spaniards took the lead as an unmarked Adam Cregeen slammed home Chris Kneen’s cleverly flighted cross.
The home side, however, failed to build on their advantage and as a result Peel spurred on by Lee Gale and Danny Bell began to turn the tide.
Kerron Christian was, in fact, played in by Gale but the tall striker squandered a golden opportunity.
Christian, however, made amends, soon after, as he cleverly steered home the equaliser, that followed some patient build-up from the red and whites.
Just before the interval Rob Cottier’s side could well have taken the lead but an effort from Bell squeezed the wrong side of an upright.
The visitors continued to assert their influence after the interval and keeper Steriopulos had to remain alert to deny efforts from Simon Cowley and Liam Harrison, but soon after the westerners took a deserved lead when Steriopulos initially saved a Harrison header, before Bell dramatically hooked home the resultant re-bound.
The goal appeared to spur Mark Heywood’s side back into action and Andy Bunce was unfortunate to see a powerful header rebound off the Peel cross-bar.
With Rushen on top Steve Riding fired inches wide, before Cottier was forced to clear off the Peel goal-line. The pressure finally told, when Josh Kelly produced a clever cross and Jack Saxon rose to find the top corner of the net.
Then, with just 10 minutes remaining, Saxon, who had looked dangerous on the left, delivered an inviting cross which substitute Michael Williams superbly headed home.
The visitors did their best to fashion an equaliser but there was to be no beating the southern custodian.
Firstly a header from Christian looked goal-bound before Steriopulos somehow managed to push it clear before Neil Birchenough produced a powerful header from right in front of goal that the former Colby keeper acrobatically touched over the bar.
At the final whistle, Peel had every right to feel slightly disappointed that the game at least didn’t stretch into extra-time.
Island manager Kevin Manning could not fail to be impressed by Steriopulos’s performance and was one of the first to congratulate the keeper after the game.
Team Check
Rushen: Christian Steriopulos, Ted Pepper, Chris Kneen (Ciaran Brown), Adam Cregeen, Michael Baker, Chris Shimmin, Steve Riding, Andy Bunce (Michael Williams) Jack Saxon, Aaron Hawley, Josh Kelly.
Peel: Stuart Morris, John Kelly, Daniel Lace, Andy Crennell, Matty McQuarrie, Rob Cottier, Lee Gale, Danny Bell, Liam Harrison (Neil Birchenough), Matty Woods (Simon Cowley), Kerron Christian.
Referee: John Lovelady
Assistants: Peter Lewis and Mark Thomas
Man of Match: Steriopulos (Rushen) A superb display.
Match Rating: HHHHH
Attendance: 314