Sporting Fingal 2-3 CS Maritimo (agg 4-6)

 

 

To score four goals in a European tie is encouarging for progression prospects but it wasn't enough for Sporting Fingal against CS Maritimo at Dalymount Park on Thursday evening.

 

 

Having netted two crucial away goals in last week's first leg, Sporting were hopeful of springing a surprise against their Portuguese opponents at Dalymount Park.

 

 

But it wasn't to be as a penalty on 20 minutes from Alonso acted as a hammer blow for the Ravens after Shaun Maher had brought down Danilo Dias inside the box.

 

 

A spirited second-half performance saw Glen Crowe and Conan Byrne both blast over, while Ronan Finn had a goal disallowed as Sporting continued to press forward.

 

 

But their positive play, which was hugely encouraging at times in front of a strong crowd, counted for little as Maritimo stepped up a gear.

 

 

On 67 minutes, Marquinho collected a pass just outside the home side's penalty area and he drilled a low shot past keeper Brendan Clarke.

 

 

Buckley's players trooped on and the introduction of Zayed made a difference when he slid in on 81 minutes to convert Byrne's cross.

 

 

That should have provided them with a much-needed lift, but substitute Kanu deflated their hope when he blasted in from close range.

 

 

However, the night ended on a bittersweet note when Zayed got his second goal when he volleyed in.

 

 

Sporting Fingal: Clarke; O'Brien, Maher, Browne, Fitzgerald; Finn, McFaul (Zayed 64), Williams; Byrne, Crowe, Kirby.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Quigley, Gannon, Frost, Cahill, Dawson, James.

 

CS Maritimo: Pecanha; Esteves, Guilherme, Robson, Alonso; Marquinho (Luciano 71), Sousa, Danilo Dias, Tcho (Kanu 81); Cherrad (Fidelis 90), Baba.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Boek, Dylan, Luis Olim, Briguel.

 

Referee: M Borg (Malta).

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