HILL STREET BLUES; MID-ULSTER LEAGUE MARSHALL CUP FINAL: FIVEMILETOWN UNITED 0 HILL STREET 0, AET (Fivemiletown won 3-1 on pens).

Byline: CHRIS SHERRARD

FIVEMILETOWN United got their hands on the Marshall Cup thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Hill Street in Loughgall yesterday.

The Fermanagh town was alive with partying footballers last night as the club celebrated victory in a cup final at the fourth time of asking in recent seasons.

In an edgy encounter with the Lurgan side at Lakeview Park, little quarter was given as the teams created not much of note in front of goal as a large crowd of spectators watched on.

With Dave Ballantine in inspired form in the Town goal, Hill Street were frustrated as the game moved into extra-time.

And with no goals at either end a shoot-out was needed to decide who got their hands on the trophy.

Hill Street blazed their first effort over the bar and had two saved by Ballantine leaving converted efforts from Fivemiletown's Jason Gillespie, Stevie Erskine and Dessie Gilmour the difference between agony and ecstasy at the end.

For Town boss Andy Parkinson it was a relief to finally win a final.

He told Match on Tuesday: "I'm absolutely delighted for all the boys and everyone connected with the club.

"We've been to four finals now "The match wasn't great but the pitch didn't really lend itself to a good game of football.

"In our previous finals we've played well and been beaten so it's nice to come away without performing as we can and win.

"I do feel some sympathy for Hill Street because I know what it's like to be beaten in a final.

"They have some very good players and they played like they had nothing to lose.

"They didn't have too many clearcut chances but we were able to keep them out when they did get a shot in.

"But they will get their day. Today is our day and there will be some big celebrations in the town because it's long overdue.

"I'd like to thank everyone for all the support they've given us throughout the season, it really is very much appreciated by us all.

"And the Hill Street fans also made for a good occasion. As did the referee who let the game flow well.

"It's a great feeling to win the cup and hopefully there'll be more to come in the next few years."

CAPTION(S):

UNITED BossAndy Parkinson with Rob Benson and Gary Noble ON NIGHT THE TOWN The Fivemiletown players celebrate after the final whistle following their win LET'S HAVE A BRIDAL PARTY Town skipper Chris McDowell shows the cup to his fiancee Sophia Callow yesterday ALL DOWN HILL The despondent Hill Street players gather for the dreaded shoot-out BATTLE ROYALE The action hots up between the two sides at Loughgall yesterday WE HAVE LIFT-OFF Fivemiletown boss Andy Parkinson holds aloft the Marshall Cup WE'RE FIVE-SMILE-TOWN Players and supporters of Fivemiletown show their delight after yesterday's victory ALL YOURSThe league's Issac Gilkinson hands over the cup to Parkinson and Davy McQuigg IT'S SIMON PLAYS Hill Street's Simon Gilkinson pushes away from Shane Mallon of Fivemiletown NEVER GIVE UP ON IT Supporters of Hill Street try to cheer their side to victory over Fivemiletown yesterday NOT STREETS BEHIND Hill Street boss David Wilson came so close to guiding his side to Marshall Cup victory EARLY OPTIMISM Hill Street fans Chris Dixon, Chris Wilson and Ross Higginson at the match

Article Details

Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Title Annotation:	Sport
Publication:	The Mirror (London, England)
Date:	Apr 26, 2011
Words:	563
Previous Article:	GOALS FLOW FROM LAGAN.
Next Article:	GOOD TIMES AHEAD; New Glenavy boss determined to help Mid-Ulster club climb their way through the divisions.