Ard way through

Cliftonville 0-0 Ards [9-8 on penalties]

David Odumosu was the hero as Cliftonville squeezed past Ards in a nailbiting penalty shootout this evening.

After 90 goalless minutes at Solitude, this County Antrim Shield first round tie progressed to spot kicks, where the Reds were twice let off the hook before Odumosu’s save from Connor Maxwell ensured victory.

Despite a reasonably bright first-half during which Axel Piesold and Micheál Glynn joined debutants Arran Pettifer and Taylor Steven in testing visiting goalkeeper Marc Matthews, the second period delivered little by way of entertainment outside of a low Joe Gormley free-kick that drew a smart stop from Matthews.

The Ards custodian then produced a magnificent 95th minute save from a fierce Gormley blast to ensure that the contest would be settled from the spot.

After the officials had consulted with supporters in the Main Stand Lower to negotiate the generous donation of a coin for the pre-shootout toss, Roan Doherty converted the first kick ahead of Maxwell netting for the away side.

Gormley put the Reds 2-1 up and, after Eamon Scannell was denied by Odumosu, Jonny Addis and Conor Scannell exchanged strikes to leave Cliftonville 3-2 ahead after three kicks apiece.

Matthews’ save from Ryan Markey allowed Aidan Steele to just about level matters – Odumosu initially appearing to have made the save – with the Ards keeper himself blasting home after Piesold had netted. It was 5-5 when Glynn and Ethan Simpson did their jobs but when Kris Lowe hit the bar, the Playr-Fit Championship outfit were on the cusp of sealing a quarter-final spot only for Max Greer to blaze over the top.

Having heaved a huge sigh of relief, Cliftonville pulled in front through Shaun Leppard and, after Michael Ruddy made it 6-6, Odumosu made no mistake with his effort.

He could do nothing to stop Bobby Deane restoring parity at 7-7 ahead of Destiny Ojo and Odhran McCart each stroking home.

Matthews’ save from Conor Pepper once again put Ards on the verge of victory but, astonishingly, Corai Quinn’s attempt went the same way as Greer’s, allowing the Reds to breathe again.

With all 11 players having by now taken a kick, Doherty stepped up again to put Cliftonville 9-8 in front and, when Odumosu repelled Maxwell’s strike, the contest ended with the home side in the hat for the next round.

Cliftonville: Odumosu, Pepper, Addis, Pettifer (Markey, 64 mins), Curran (Ojo, 64 mins), Leppard, Conlan (Lowe, 81 mins), Doherty, Piesold, Glynn, Steven (Gormley, 64 mins). Unused subs: Breen, Mahoney, Sheridan.