Coeur returned to football after an extended winter break (7 weeks) and so as to ease them back into the season, a replay of the abandonded Senior Shield game versus first division De La Salle was thrown up by the cruelest of fixture computers (or the league committee). Unfortunately for Coeur, several of their players were unavailable due to a plethora of reasons. Amongst those missing were top scorer Mick Kennedy and player of the season Mike Carr. Mally Harper, Dave Looby and Paul Morgan were also unavailable for selection. Coeur, despite fielding a makeshift side, were determined to progress in the Senior Shield as they felt nigh on robbed of progression have led De La Salle 2 - 1 back in Novermber, only for the game to be abandoned with 6 minutes to play.

The game was a tight affair with both sides offering plenty of enthusiasm, if not comparable levels of quality in their play. Back in November De La Salle had not had a shot on target in the entire 84 minutes of the game, their goal coming as a wayward cross was not dealt with and keeper Si Furlong flapped it into the net. Furlong was obviously feeling in a similar generous mood as he allowed a potshot from 25 yards to squeeze through his legs and into the net. Coeur responded and went close on a couple of occasions prior to half time but couldn't draw level. Indeed Coeur could have gone in 2 down had Furlong not stopped a shot from 8 yards from the stroke of half time.

Half Time 0 - 1

The half time team talk consisted of phrases such as 'You've pulled me out the shit last time against these, now lets get out there and do it again'. In all honesty Coeur couldn't have responded in a better manner, drawing level within 90 seconds of the restart. Craig Burns provided a bit of trickery down the left and crossed the ball in for Rob Philiskirk to slam home from 8 yards. Philiskirk was ecstatic and took off running around and screaming like a little girl on Christmas Day as she received the Barbie she had always wanted. Coeur's players went to celebrate with him, but stayed just about far enough away so as not to be prodded by the rigid contents of Philiskirk's shorts.

Coeur again had more chances but couldn't find the elusive breakthrough and De La Salle too, were pushing hard and looking for the winner. Coeur's defense again stood strong, intercepting and blocking all manner of De La Salle's passes and shots. Mike Smith and Andy Rannard were both struggling with knocks and indeed it was Smith who sucummed first, being replaced after 60 minutes. As the 90 minutes drew to a close, and with no further subs available, several of Coeur's players were feeling the full effect of the 7 week break and the thought of extra time was one not being welcomed. However it was to be, the whistle went and the ref confirmed, the despite the fading light, extra time was the option and it was not going to go straight to penalties.

Full Time (90 minutes) 1 - 1

I am not sure of the exact figure, but at least 4 or 5 of Coeur's weary players asked the ref if we were going to play the full 30 minutes of extra time, and to their dismay he confirmed that it was the case. De La Salle had a couple of corners all whipped into the near post dangerously, and each time Degsy dealt with them superbly to avert any danger. Coeur looked tired, yet De La Salle couldn't take advantage of this, and predictably, Coeur took the lead. Again it was Craig Burns providing the ammunition as he skipped past a lunging tackle, clipped the ball past a second before a delightful shimmy left a third defender on his backside. He then delivered and excellent ball into the box for Speed to bury it from 10 yards, in a not disimmilar manner to the first goal. De La Salle were gone, the goal visibly deflated them and from then on in it would prove easier for Coeur. But just as Coeur were crusing another twist of fate saw Rannard knocked senseless by the ball. It took a couple of minutes to winch him up of the floor, before sending him to the touchline to recover. Coeur saw out the 7 or 8 minutes without him comfortably before he returned to the match. Had Coeur had further substitutes he would have been replaced, but he heroically carried on to help Coeur seal the win.

Half Time in Extra Time 2 - 1

The second half of extra time saw Coeur have a glorious chance to wrap the game up, only for Rob Hatton to blaze wide. This lifted De La Salle and the had a chance down the right. Just as the forward let his shot fly, Rob Hatton flew in a somehow blocked his effort in a piece of last minute defending that has become a trademark of Mike Smith. As Rob pulled himself up off the deck he stated 'Well I wasn't going to let him score after missing that sitter'.
Indeed it was Hatton who had the final say, as he finished an excellent move involving Shelley who had scampered forward from the back, despite being told to hold the shape as the game was almost over. Hatton fired the ball home from a similar position to Coeur's other two goals and the victory was Coeur's.
In the end justice prevailed, with Coeur progressing to the next round, as both sides thought they should have done in November, to face Alumni in one of the ties of the round.