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Brooks' Peno Wins L1 Cup First-Round Tiebreaker For Darby Over Alliance United FC

By Jonathan Cheng/ Colin Benjamin, 05/09/18, 10:45AM EDT

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(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)


Matt Zaikos (Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography) 

Darby captain Cameron Brooks slotted home the deciding penalty in the tiebreaker to send Darby FC to the second round of the men's L1 Cup, taking down Alliance United FC in a 3-2 (5-4 pens.) victory on Tuesday night.

Sparks were flying between these two very evenly matched newcomers to League1 Ontario's men's division, and the first round needed to be settled in penalty kicks.

Keeper Matt Zaikos guessed correctly to save his last penalty, allowing the Darby captain to seal the deal with a final kick.

Alliance struck first in the 74th minute via super sub Milan Beader, but had to chase another goal to try and win the game after Darby's Le Rohne Young (80') dispatched his own rebound off a powerful header ten minutes from time.  

It was then Darby to take the bit in their teeth after a Jack Sears (82') highlight reel strike from 25 yards that emptied Darby's bench in excitement.


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography) 


Milan Beader (Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography) 

However, Alliance's Beader (74', 90' + 2) was again on target deep in extra time, forcing the penalty tiebreaker after a breathless four goal half. 

Beader's brace made history for Alliance, the newly founded club partnership between Markham SC and Wexford SC, with his tallies marking the first in the club's existence.

Throughout the match, the two teams fought with tooth and nail, more than willing to get physical. At the full-time whistle, Darby finished the game with six yellow cards, while Alliance were cautioned twice.

The stage was finally set for the penalty tiebreaker, with the one-two punch of Darby keeper Zaikos guessing correctly before Brooks calmly slotted the winner on the fifth Darby kick.

Alliance were unfortunate not have completed the comeback after such a late goal to swing momentum, and after a very strong performance throughout the ninety minutes, but will look to turn things around in their next match against Toronto Skillz FC on Sunday May 13 (5 p.m.) at Birchmount Stadium.

Tune into league1ontario.com to watch this game on Livestream!

Darby FC will take on FC London in the second round of the men's L1 Cup at a date TBD. 

Darby will now switch their focus back to league play as they visit OSU Force at Quinn's Point in Ottawa on Saturday May 12 (3:30 p.m.).