Lutz nets first Cork City goal as they eventually overcome Leicester Celtic
New Cork City recruit Charlie Lutz argued with teammate Evan McLaughlin over who should take their 69th-minute penalty before he dispatched to the bottom corner. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
New signing Charlie Lutz netted his first goal to the relief of manager Ger Nash as Cork City eventually shook off Leicester Celtic’s challenge.
The Aston Villa academy recruit argued with midfielder Evan McLaughlin over who should take their 69th-minute penalty before dispatching to the bottom corner.
Kitt Nelson, who had been fouled for the spot-kick, added the clincher within two minutes to kill off the Leinster Senior League’s fourth-tier side.
Standout centre-back Kevin Curry was unlucky to finish with an own goal in the dying moments.
Nash’s first win as City manager in front of 893 fans sees them advance to the FAI Cup third round ahead of a crucial relegation dogfight against Sligo Rovers on Friday.
With Seani Maguire, Greg Bolger, and new keeper David Odumosu absent, Nash made four changes for the midday kick-off. Into the team came Conor Brann, Freddie Anderson, Josh Fitzpatrick, and Lutz.
Leicester Celtic’s long-serving captain, Alan O’Shaughnessy, missed the game due to a clash with his wedding. A few teammates attended the Friday ceremony before joining the rest of the squad in Cork.
The first-time FAI Cup participants from Rathfarnham drew a strong travelling support. They cheered every clearance, pass, and tackle, while also celebrating each of City’s missed chances and overhit crosses.
Curry and Daniel McCullagh stood up well to the waves of attack, while Owen Norton provided an extra layer of protection as a midfield shield. Behind them, Charles Delmotte made a series of brilliant saves.
City piled on the pressure for the opening 20 minutes, but began to run out of ideas thereafter.
Captain Fiacre Kelleher’s early header back across goal rolled wide. Malik Dijksteel also missed the target from Fitzpatrick’s cross.
City came closer again in the 14th minute. Darragh Crowley and Fitzpatrick carved out a chance for Lutz. He swivelled to get off a shot which cannoned back off the post.
Leicester Celtic countered for their only shot of the half. Fionnan O’Reilly cut onto his left, but Kelleher got across to block.
In the 21st minute, City put the away keeper to work. Once again, Fitzpatrick fed Lutz, but Delmotte charged off his line to produce a brilliant save.
From there, City’s chances began to fade. They worked one clear-cut opening before the break from a smart Nelson free-kick. However, Kelleher’s effort was closer to a pass than a shot as it dribbled wide.
Anderson came agonisingly close from a pair of corners early in the second half. Delmotte was at full stretch to turn away his first effort, while the crossbar bailed them out from the latter chance.
Curry bravely put his head in the way to stop the next shot from Cathal O’Sullivan.
Leicester Celtic were getting a foothold at times, but couldn’t capitalise on three early corners.
Benny Couto’s first involvement off the bench since April almost resulted in a goal. Nelson’s shot ricocheted off the left back, and Delmotte dived across to tip away.
Dijksteel was next to test the keeper with an excellent recovery and forward run. Delmotte came up with another save.
When City’s breakthrough came, it was from a defensive error rather than any major creativity. Nelson went over the leg of McCullagh. After a tense debate, Lutz tucked it away.
With that confidence boost, Lutz’s close control teed up Nelson to blast home from the edge of the box.
Delmotte denied Lutz, but was beaten for a third time in the 88th minute when Couto’s free-kick was turned in by Curry.
Brann; Feely (Nevin 75), Anderson, Kelleher, Kiernan (Couto 61); O’Sullivan, Crowley (McLaughlin 61), Nelson (M Murray 75); Fitzpatrick (Nolan 69), Lutz, Dijksteel.
Delmotte; Ndee (Lawless 74), McCullagh, Curry, Bagrin (Miley 89); O’Reilly (Clancy-Kelly 74), Hennessy, O Norton, Fortune (T Norton 60), Keller; Maguire (Temple 89).
D White (Dublin).
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