Bluebell United secure victory with extra-time goal
Trevor Molloy rolled back the years to score twice and then set up an extra-time winner as non-league Bluebell United caused the shock of the FAI Ford Cup second round to beat Athlone Town 3-2 at Lissywollen.
Having held the First Division side to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, Leinster Senior League side Bluebell came from behind at the Athlone Stadium to deservedly win a thrilling replay.
And it was 36-year-old veteran Molloy who came back to haunt both one of his former clubs and former manager, Roddy Collins, with a man-of-the-match display.
Town had a right let off on 34 minutes when Bluebell central defender Ian Cherry rattled their crossbar with a shot.
However, just a minute later Collins’ midlanders were in front, against the run of play. The ball broke kindly to Ian Sweeney on the edge of the area and the man-of-the-match of the first game at Baldonnel on Saturday rifled his shot to the net.
But Bluebell, the better side in the first half, levelled right on 45 minutes. Right-back Mark Rooney got forward to whip over a cross and Molloy, a cup winner in Collins’ Bohemians double winning side of 2001, shot home.
Molloy, who had also worked on Collins' coaching staff at Monaghan United, then hit a 25-yard screamer to put Bluebell in front on 57 minutes.
Town hit back with substitute Tzee Mustapha punishing a poor punch by Bluebell keeper Karl Coleman to level the match on 69 minutes and force the game into extra-time.
Molloy, though, remained key as his cross in the 11th minute of extra-time set up Peter Darcy to volley what proved the winner.
