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| Fantastic Cup Win! |
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A 97th minute screamer in the first period of extra time from young 18 year old striker Alberto Guerrero saw Crimson Star advance past the second round of the X-International Cup for the first time in the current Managers tenure.
"To say I'm over the moon would be a gross understatement," beamed the Manager at the post match conference. "The lads really out did themselves today."
In what was a very defensive approach to the match, it looked as though the young "Starlets" were intent only on pushing all the way to try their luck at a penalty shoot out, especially at the halftime break as they had sat back deep in their own half and never created one chance at goal.
But the 78th minute sending off of opposition Street Urchins Utd forward Craig Marlow for a second bookable offence, seemed to spur the young team on.
"Yes, we smelt blood when that happened," reiterated LFC73. "So at the break before extra time, I told the lads to take a few chances and push on them a little more, as I knew they would have to hang back and not press us so high. I felt it was worth the risk, because to be realistic we were not likely to win the penalty shootout, should it have gone that far.
"I could scarcely believe my eyes when young Alberto let go that shot though. It was a nice bit of work from young middy Ibon (Uribe) to set him through from just inside their half, and I fully expected him to look for another pass - but he jinked off his left past one of their defenders, sighted up the goal and just let go! There was no stopping it - I thought it was going to tear the back of the net out!"
Needless to say, the Crimson Star faithful who made the long trip to West Lothian, erupted into a frenzy of celebration as the ball hit the back of the net.
"Absolutely fantastic for the fans," said the Manager. "They've stuck by me since I took over here, and are starting to get the picture of what I am trying to do. So to finally get through to the third round is a just reward for all of us.
"I don't really care who we get, as it's given us another 2 matches to spread the playing load. Hopefully it will be real quality opposition to provide some really decent match experience.
"Mind you - I wouldn't say no to someone a little more our size to give us a shot at the fourth round," he added with a wry grin.
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