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| Eagles progress in Cup against the odds |
Trinity FC have been punching well above their weight this season, challenging for promotion to Division 5 against the odds in the league and, most recently, dumping Triumf BK out of the Cup. Having earned a 1-1 draw and a valuable away goal in the first leg, Potemy knew his side had to avoid defeat while keeping the score low, and set the team up to do just that.
The visitors' frustration showed as early as the 3rd minute when Triumf midfielder Wilmer Prick was booked for stamping. The next and last booking of the match came in the 19th minute, Martin Sinclair booked for a tackle from behind. The 16-year-old Eagles defender was later replaced by Gad Hasson at the interval, Potemy fully aware that his side could not risk going a man down. The hosts soaked up the pressure well, keeping Triumf out of the penalty area, and managed to create opportunities on the counter attack, Matti Kallis' long range effort forcing a fine save from Charles Karlsbakk in the 34th minute before the 20-year-old forward flicked a header over the bar in the 40th minute.
The second half was equally tight, both sides unable to create chances with Trinity following the manager's instructions perfectly. Two changes were made during the second half, Atgeirr Ødegården substituted with a light knock for Triumf with Windhoek bringing on Egil Sommerseth in a slightly unfamiliar but manageable position up front, and Barry Sharples replacing Shawn Morris in a like-for-like change in the Eagles midfield.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw, which would have seen Trinity progress to the next round, when Trinity won a corner in the 85th minute. Kallis, who had been bothering the Triumf defence all night, threatened again, this time as the provider as his corner fizzed menacingly across the face of goal, and with Xing Chi Ta on the end, there was no doubt about where the ball would end up. The experienced Chinese midfielder made a clean connection with the ball, and that was all he needed to do, the pace on the ball helping it towards goal.
"That goal didn't make much difference to the result of the Cup tie, but it's always nice to have a match recorded as a win instead of a draw," said Potemy to the press after the match. "We can add Triumf to the list of giants that we've killed this season. It wasn't a win against Ogrimmar, but it was a very good result, and we're right in the mix for the division title, only behind the leaders on a single goal."
Trinity next travel to play Dakay FC before their tie against Garricks in the next round of the Cup.
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