Jimmy Callacher was the shootout hero as Carrick Rangers head to the final of the Co Antrim Shield after a thrilling 4-3 win on penalties against Larne after a 1-1 draw in normal time, in tonight’s semi-final at Taylors Avenue.
The impressive Adam Lecky opened the scoring in the first half before Ryan Nolan hit back for the away side just after the break. Nathan Gartside was brought on for Rangers just before the final whistle and he showed his worth in goal with two great saves before Callacher stepped up to score the winner.
Under bitingly cold conditions in Carrickfergus, it took both teams some time to warm up in the early exchanges and it was 20 minutes before we had the first threat on goal and it came the way of the hosts.
A long ball over the top of the Larne defence looked to have the visitors in trouble when Lecky raced through towards goal, but the big striker pulled his shot wide of the upright.
The big forward – who missed a number of weeks earlier in the season – continued to trouble the Invermens’ defence and it was no surprise when he broke the deadlock after 35 minutes.
Rangers’ midfielder Matthew Snoddy crossed to the near post, and there was Lecky to poke home to leave the home fans dreaming of a place in the final. Those fans barely had time to take their seats before Lecky had the ball in the net once more, but this time it was ruled out for offside as the hosts took their lead into the break.
It looked like the big striker would start the second half the same way he finished the first, but he shot wide from Danny Gobson’s cross. That miss was to be punished on 53 minutes when the pre-match favourites levelled.
Nolan’s header clipped off the inside of the Carrick post before hitting the net to make it 1-1 and leave a tense finish.
Thirteen minutes before the final whistle it looked like Paul O’Neill would win it for Larne when he was clean through on goal, however, he blew the opportunity and fired wide as the game finished all-square and went straight to spot-kicks.
As the shootout went to sudden death it was veteran Callacher who stepped up to send Carrick to the final,
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