University out of Lakoseljac Cup after going down to 10 men against South East United

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar (No. 8) opens the scoring for University. [PlessPix] 

South East United qualified for the first-round proper of the Lakoseljac Cup with a 5-3 win over University at Pembroke Park on Monday.

Ramiro Vilar put South East United in front after just 4 minutes with a cheeky finish.

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar (centre) is congratulated after scoring by Gus Rumney (left) and James Hall. [PlessPix] 

The home side then squandered several excellent chances and should really have led.

It took until the 37^th minute for them to equalise through Daniel Harris.

But, Daniel Goodluck restored University’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

 

Photo:  University's Daniel Goodluck blows a kiss to his young son after scoring his side's second goal. [PlessPix]

Ten minutes after the resumption, University suffered a significant blow when Jaxon Richardson was sent off for using offensive language.

University struggles to maintain their lead as the home side ramped up the pressure.

Only some brilliant goalkeeping by Aidan Featherstone, who saved repeatedly in one-on-one situations, kept University in front.

Luke Huigsloot, who had missed several gilt-edged chances during the game, finally found the net in the 76^th minute to make it 2-2.

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar stretching for the ball. [PlessPix] 

That opened they flood gates and goals by Patrick Quinlan in the 83^rd minute and Sam Sartori 3 minutes later gave South East United a 4-2 lead.

Huigsloot made up for his wretched misses earlier in the game by netting his second and South East United’s fifth goal 2 minutes from the end.

James Hall’s strike for University 2 minutes into stoppage time to make it 5-3 was merely a consolation goal.

Photo:  South East United skipper Nick Zammit tries to stay ahead of University's Jaxon Richardson. [PlessPix] 

 South East United coach, Adam Shackcloth, said:

“Some nervous moments in there.

“All in all, I think them going down to 10 men, for them, it gave us a bit of an advantage.

“Obviously, the longer the game went on the better it was for us.

“But we were sloppy in patches and clinical in others, so can’t complain as we won.”

Photo:  The South East United squad. [PlessPix] 

 University coach, Hugh Graham, said:

“I think it was a really great game.

“We started the first 45 really well.

“I think we really shot ourselves in the foot with the sending off and probably ruined what could have been an excellent qualifying final.”

 

Photo:  The University squad before Monday's game. [PlessPix]