24/05/2026
🟣 RESULT 🟣
🏆 Aberfield are going to the cup final! 🏆
This morning Aberfield took on Inverdee in the semi-final of the Aimin Elmegirab cup, a repeat fixture from last year which saw Inverdee progress with a last minute winner. Remembering both that game, and the 4-3 defeat with 3 late goals conceded just 2 weeks ago, Aberfield wanted to redeem themselves and get a result today.
The game started strong, with chances being carved out by both teams, but nothing clear cut to break the deadlock. That changed on the 20 minute mark when a poor back pass was picked up by the Inverdee winger, who was promptly pulled to the ground by GK Joe, giving the referee no option but to show a straight red. 🟥 CB Scott donned the gloves and his first action was to save the Inverdee penalty, though unfortunately the rebound was put away by the Inverdee RW to put them 1 up alongside their man advantage, 0-1.
5 minutes later and things went from bad to worse, with a defence mixup saw the Inverdee ST looking at an empty net and tucking away to double their lead, 0-2. Aberfield’s heads never dropped, and with an immediate response required, CB Danny got his head onto RW Greg’s corner with 5 minutes until half-time to bring it back, 1-2. 🟣
The formation change at half-time to push the attack harder didn’t immediately work out, with Inverdee scoring a great free kick just 10 minutes into the second half to reclaim their 2 goal lead, 1-3. Not getting flustered by the scoreline, Aberfield maintained focus and threw a lot at the Inverdee backline and immediately brought the game to within 1, with ST Chris the quickest to react and calmly slot away, 2-3. 🟣
Aberfield still had a lot of work to do, particularly with being a player down, but never lost the head and kept applying the pressure. A long ball took Chris out to the left where he coolly turned the Inverdee defender and squared the ball across the box for ST Tyrone to place it and bring us level, 3-3. 🟣
Dissent from an Inverdee defender resulted in a red card, bringing the game to 10v10. With momentum fully in Aberfield’s favour this had to be capitalised on, and just 5 minutes later Chris found himself in the same position again, turned the defender again and this time buried it himself to give Aberfield the lead for the first time in the game with 15 minutes remaining, 4-3. 🟣
A nervy moment shortly after saw CM Dylan sent off for a second yellow (both very soft). 🟨🟨🟥 The remaining 9 men knew what to do and tightened things up and locked everything out, frustrating Inverdee to the point that they then had another player sent off for dissent to the referee.
With the game now at 9v9, Aberfield felt the pressure from Inverdee, who were throwing everything at us. In injury time, the Inverdee keeper joined the attack, but Aberfield managed to clear their lines, getting the ball to Chris who poked it deep into the Inverdee half. Cue LM Fred driving through the middle of the pitch from his own half to retrieve the ball in the box with nobody else near him. The ball was stopped on the line and headered in (total sh*tebag behaviour 😂) to put the game to bed, 5-3. 🟣
Great spirit shown by every player on the pitch. At 2-down, the game could’ve slipped further and further away but great teamwork and determination saw the result swing in Aberfield’s favour.
Based on the attitudes and great team performance, it wasn’t the easiest to pick a MOTM as so many players fought so hard and played their best game of the season. However, for his 4 goal contributions and keeping going to the end despite being dead on his feet, the MOTM today is Chris. Took his goals well, great first assist, and dropping deep to help defend the lead is what saw the ball come to his feet at the end before the last goal went in. 5-star performance ⭐️
This result takes Aberfield to our first ever cup final. Very well deserved after a season of narrow losses and good wins. Details to follow about time and location of the final.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Arnold Clark
Bisongrass
The Tilted Wig
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COYAF 💜🏆