Larne are headed to the Play-Offs of the UEFA Conference League as they were perfect in the penalty shoot-out to defeat Kosovan side Ballkani in their third qualifying round tie at Inver Park.
Walid Hamidi’s first half penalty gave the visitors the 1-0 win on the night, leaving the tie level at 1-1 after Larne’s win last week, taking it to the shoot-out.
And goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson would be the Inver Reds’ hero, saving from Hamidi and Engjell Ajazaj, while the hosts scored all four of their spot kicks to progress.
Relive all the action on our LIVE blog below!
Larne
0
:
1
Ballkani
Walid Hamidi
45′
10 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Ugly scenes
My goodness, what has broken out here at the full-time whistle.
Larne have won the shoot-out but then things suddenly spill over as there are punches, pushes and kicks thrown between the two sets of players and staff on halfway. Someone from the Ballkani side has been sent off – not that it overly matters on the night – and individuals are having to be held back.
Eventually it’s all calmed down and Larne can celebrate but that was a really disappointing way for the game to finish.
Chris Gallagher can win it for Larne…
… AND HE DOES! Low and hard to the bottom left corner to send Larne to the Conference League Play-Offs!
Larne: OOOO Ballkani: XXO
14 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Krenar Dulaj must score for Ballkani…
… and he does. Stutter step, but it’s a fantastic penalty, hard and low into the bottom left corner.
Larne: OOO Ballkani: XXO
15 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Here comes Andy Ryan for Larne…
… placed in the bottom right hand corner and the Inver Reds have one foot in the Play-Offs!
Larne: OOO Ballkani: XX
15 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Engjell Ajazaj for Ballkani…
… also saved! The Kosovan tries to place his penalty to the left but Rohan Ferguson denies him again!
Larne: OO Ballkani: XX
16 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Mark Randall for Larne…
… scores! Emphatic penalty to the top left corner!
Larne: OO Ballkani: X
17 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Walid Hamidi for Ballkani…
… he scored in regular time – and this one is saved by Rohan Ferguson, diving to his left!
1-0
17 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Larne first…
… it’s Joe Thomson, and he scores!
1-0
Penalty Shootout
Adam McKendry
End of Extra Time
Adam McKendry
120’+4
Adam McKendry
What an opportunity for the Scottish striker as a long throw is lumped into the box, it makes its way to Ryan and he shoots on the turn… just over the bar! Oh, what a goal that would have been!!
120’+2
Adam McKendry
Controversy
The ball is delivered into the box by Mark Randall right onto the edge of the six-yard box and Enea Kolici can’t hold onto it in the melee. The ball is eventually stabbed into the net by a Larne boot but the whistle has gone for a free kick for Ballkani and then all hell breaks loose as Andy Ryan goes down clutching his face and Kolici goes down on all fours.
In the end, Tomas Cosgrove and Shaun Want are booked for Larne, while Sunday Adetunji is likewise for Ballkani. We restart with a free-kick to the visitors.
119′
Adam McKendry
Dangerous free-kick as Paul O’Neill is felled to the left of the box – could this be the moment for Larne? Mark Randall to deliver…
116′
Adam McKendry
Five minutes remaining
Do we have a winner in this game? Are we destined for penalties?
111′
Adam McKendry
108′
Adam McKendry
This would have been a remarkable winner if Thomson had managed to put this in the back of the net as the midfielder charges onto a bouncing ball and unleashes a howitzer of a volley that bounces just wide of Enea Kolici’s post. That close to a potential winner for Larne!
Extra Time 2
Adam McKendry
Extra Time 1 Break
Adam McKendry
105’+1
Adam McKendry
Added time
Two additional minutes at the end of this first half of extra-time.
