FAI AMATEURS OVERCOME ROMANIA TO MOVE INTO POLE SPOT IN REGIONS CUP QULAIFIER.
FAI AMATEURS.........4
ROMANIA.................0
THE FAI Amateurs moved a big step closer to qualifying for the UEFA Regions Cup finals next Summer following their comprehensive victory over group rival Romania in this morning's Group 6 qualifier in Albena, Bulgaria.
Gerry Davis' side kicked off their campaign with a two-nil triumph over San Marino on Tuesday and now sit on top of the Group with a maximum haul of six points after a polished and disciplined display.
Today's performance was excellent from start to finish as the Irish executed a tactical game plan most importantly, the three points on offer. Goals from Jack McMullan, Sam Burgess, Eoin Murphy and a Stephen Chambers penalty eased them to a comfortable win with their opponents finishing the match with nine players after two second half dismissals.
.FAI Amateurs celebrate Jack McMullan (Home Farm FC) in this morning's UEFA Group 6 qualifier in Albena, Bulgaria
The Amateurs dominated proceedings but Romania had some fine individual players and were a threat off free-kicks and corners, but it was the Brendan O'Connell skippered Irish who carried a more potent threat with AJ O'Connor and Stephen Chambers knitting much of the play together with their accurate passing while the pace of Sam Burgess and Eoin Murphy constantly troubled their opponents forcing them into hurried clearances.
Home Farm's Jack McMullan made the breakthrough in the 37th minute with the tall central defender rising high to head past Ionut Marinica is the Romanian goal off a pin-point Stephen Chambers corner.
Romania were reduced to 10- players just a minute after the restart when Greek referee Vassilis Fotias sent off Ovidiu Gheorghe for a foul on Sam Burgess.
Seven minutes later the Killester Donnycarney striker Burgess doubled the Irish lead with a composed finish past Marinica in the opposition goal and the game was out of sight by the 61st minute when Rockmount's Eoin Murphy netted his second goal of the tournament with an assist from clubmate Nathan Broderick.
Substitute Romanian midfielder Daniel Dumitru came on in 61st minute, picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute and was red-carded in the 67th minute after fouling Murphy as he bore down on goal inside the penalty area. Stephen Chambers slotted the resultant penalty past Marinica to give the Boys in Green an unassailable lead.
Head coach Davis was able to empty his bench with debut appearances Jack Parke, Gary Cunningham and Glen Daly while Kilbarrack United's Deiric Hyland and Aaron Humphries also saw game time coming in off the bench.
FAI Amateurs defender Jack McMullan heads the opening gol past Romanian referee Ionut Marinica in this morning's UEFA Group 6 qualifier in Albena, Bulgaria.
The only sour note was a yellow card of the tournament for Luke Casey which rules him out of Monday's clash with Bulgaria, the final game of the group, and, if the Irish can avoid defeat, will seal their place in the eight team final next Summer.
FAI AMATEURS: Brendan O'Connell (Gary Cunningham 78); Lee McColgan (Jack Parke 68), Adam Crowley, Jack McMullan, AJ O'Connor, Nathan Broderick, Stephen Chambers (Aaron Humphries 68), Luke Casey, Chris Smith, Eoin Murphy (Deiric Hyland 69), Sam Burgess (Glen Daly 77).
caption 2876: Sam Burgess peels way in delight after netting the FAI Amateurs' second goal against Romania in Albena this morning.
2697: FAI Amateurs defender Jack McMullan heads the opening gol past Romanian referee Ionut Marinica in this morning's UEFA Group 6 qualifier in Albena, Bulgaria.
2705: FAI Amateurs celebrate Jack McMullan (Home Farm FC) in this morning's UEFA Group 6 qualifier in Albena, Bulgaria.
