14-goal thriller warms the cockles of the heart

Photo:  University's Chris Downes (right) scores his second of the night. [PlessPix] 

It was a thrill a minute on a freezing night at KGV Park tonight as University beat South East United 8-6 in the Southern Championship League Cup.

It was a perfect night for football, though, with no wind, no rain, and brisk conditions.

Every night game this season has been like that, which makes one ask:  “How long can this run go on?”

University opened the scoring and led 4-1 at one stage, but amazingly, it was 5-5 at half-time.

Photo:  University's George Ivanov (right) scores his first of the night. [PlessPix] 

University’s George Ivanov hit a hat-trick, as did South East United’s Sam Sartori.

The goal of the night came from South East United’s Daniel Harris 2 minutes before the interval.

Ivanov had just scored to make it 5-4 for University with 3 minutes of the first half remaining and it was South East United’s kick-off.

Harris received the ball at the kick-off and, looking up, noticed the University keeper off his line.  He chipped at goal from the centre-circle and beat the keeper, who was back-pedalling desperately but unsuccessfully.

Photo:  John Ren (centre) makes it 4-1 for University. [PlessPix] 

University found the back of the net three more times in the second half, while South East United were able to score only once more.

Chris Downes netted a brace for University, whose other goals came from John Ren, Andrew Willcox and Declan Graham.

South East United’s Patrick Quinlan and Matthias Collins also got on the score-sheet.

South East United skipper Nick Zammit had a fine game and provided a beautiful assist for one of his side’s goals.

Photo:  University's George Ivanov completes his brace with a header. [PlessPix] 

“In summary, it was pure chaos,” said University’s assistant coach, Hugh Graham.

“Both teams had one eye on the weekend’s prioritised league game.”

South East United coach, Glen Roland, said:  “It was lots of fun, but a bit of a dead rubber so we played a few of the Championship 1 boys.

“We’re starting to score plenty.”

Photo:  South East United keeper Felix Kinghorn thwarts University's George Ivanov. [PlessPix] 

 Details:

Southern Championship League Cup

University 8 (Christopher Downes 4, 16, George Ivanov 14, 42, 49, John Ren 18, Andrew Willcox 86, Declan Graham 90+3) beat South East United 6 (Patrick Quinlan 11, Matthias Collins 21, Sam Sartori 32, 37, 51, Daniel Harris 43)

In the Southern Championship 1 curtain-raiser, University beat South East United 3-0.

Photo:  University's Zac Piesse creates an attack from midfield. [PlessPix]