17-year old Emakhu delivers Rovers win on Euro debut

17-year old Aidomo Emakhu, scored on his European debut, as Shamrock Rovers were 1-0 winners over KF Teuta Durreës, in tonight’s third round qualifier for the Europa Conference League at Tallaght Stadium.

Neither side managed to find the breakthrough for most of the tie, half chances coming in as Rovers looked the better of the two sides. Deep in stoppage time we had the winner, as Emakhu showed a strikers knowledge to get in space and fire home.

The Hoops found it difficult to break down the visitors, the Albanian side playing a very defensive orientated setup, not allowing Rovers much time on the ball and constantly having players back to cover.

Daniel Mandroiu had the opening chance of the game, the forward receiving the ball in the area,  and firing a low shot at goal, but his shot was easily saved by Stivi Frasheri, in the Teuta Net.

The first half was uneventful when the referee blew his whistle, as Mandroiu was the only player on the pitch who had threatened with a goal bound effort.

Lee Grace looked to have scored the opener in the 51st minute, the defender getting his head on an inswinging corner, but the effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Minutes later Dylan Watts went down in the penalty area, but the referee waved away all protests.

The home side had the better of possession and chances in the second half, Richie Towell hitting two efforts toward goal, neither found the target however, with one flying just over the crossbar from a volley outside the box.

Stephen Bradley looked to his bench for a change in proceedings, the Hoops manager making five second half changes. It would be his last and youngest substitute, that would be the difference for the side.

With just over a minute of added time elapsed at the end of the half, Mandroiu played a ball into the box from the ride hand side, the young 17 year old Aidomo Emakhu, playing in his European debut at Tallaght Stadium, reacting quickest and hitting a shot at goal, to beat Frasheri.