HAVING the most vociferous support was of little help to Avoca in the European Cup Winners Cup A division in Reading. Yesterday, the Irish representatives again failed to find sufficient zip or finishing touches as they lost their third game in Pool A, his time by 3-0 to Ekaterinburg of Russia.
So it's back to the B Division next year for this season's Irish Senior Cup winners (Lisnagarvey, Pembroke Wanderers, Banbridge or Railway Union) while Avoca - a largely spent force - cannot hope to salvage any solace in this morning's playful Amsterdam.
A goal would be particularly welcome as none has been registered so far. Demoralisingly, the Irish side once more matched their opponents in the first hall, but lacked penetration, especially with the final pass. Punishingly, too, the lead was again conceded just before the interval - on this occasion in the 35th minute when Samel Gevorkian broke away to score.
Vasily Sourouda capitalised on a misplaced clearance to make it 2-0 early in the second half. Yet, Avoca still managed to push forward, earning five short corners. But the set pieces had no snap about them whereas the Russians had looked more menacing from three corner chances in the opening period, from one of which Yuri Safonov struck the crossbar.
Although David Hanna (obviously benefitting from his exposure to European fare) at the back, Colin Hade and Galahad Goulet kept up the fight to the end, the more durable Russians roused themselves to break sharply again, resulting in Aidin Mourtouzov putting away the third goal from a penalty stroke with just three minutes left. Finally, winger Enda Gallanagh, finding most energy, deserved at least a solitary reply - but he couldn't steer his shot on target.
The story was much the same in Saturday's game against the more sophisticated Real Polo Club de Barcelona. The margin was also 3-0, with the Spaniards being highly effective from corners and they could have scored more freely but for the agility of Stephen Kinsella.
Yesterday, the favourites from Germany, Gladbacher, beat Barcelona 4-3 (after leading 4-0 at half time) and will contest today's final against Reading, who clinched Pool B by holding Amsterdam to a 1-1 draw.
. Hermes, recently successful on the home front, are assured of a place in the A division of the women's European Cup Winners Cup next season. Yesterday in Utrecht, Pegasus earned a bronze medal play off against Russelsheimer after an excellent 6-1 win over Russian side Tekstilschik.
Pegasus rediscovered their touch in front of goal with a clinical display and Nadine Long hit a hat trick with the other goals coming from Jeanette Turner, Kim Mills and Joanne Campbell.
