Cork City defender Alan Bennett believes Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu should be proud of his performance at Turner’s Cross on Friday night. The 16-year-old keeper made an exceptional save in the second half to deny Kieran Sadlier’s fierce
Cork City defender Alan Bennett believes Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu should be proud of his performance at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.
The 16-year-old keeper made an exceptional save in the second half to deny Kieran Sadlier’s fiercely struck penalty to help Rovers earn a point away to the Champions, who now trail Dundalk by four points in the race for the title.
Not only was that save Sadlier’s first squandered penalty of the season following five previous conversions, it was also Bazunu’s fourth clean sheet in just his fourth game between the sticks for the Hoops.
And speaking to reporters shortly after full time, Bennett, whose side dropped points at home for the first time this season to end a run of 11 wins in a row, insisted the youngster should be proud of his efforts on a frustrating night for the Leesiders.
“He’s obviously got a bright and big future ahead of him,” said Bennett.
“Now he probably has a bit of interest in him and it’s up to him now to make decisions about his future.
“But he’s done really well. He’s a good lad, he’s a big lad and he’s come to Turner’s Cross and kept a clean sheet so that’s something he should be proud of.
“Overall it’s frustrating, to sum up the whole game. They made it pretty clear, they were time wasting early had their three centre-halves in the middle of the pitch playing five at the back so that’s their prerogative.
“They’ve come down to keep a clean sheet and to get a 0-0 draw. We missed a penalty so that’s a bit unlucky on our end but that’s the way they set up and that’s what they got I suppose.
“It was disappointing but we move on now quick because we're on the cusp of a nice European venture and that will pick lads up fairly quickly so we look forward to that on Tuesday night.”
