Matt the thrasher sees Ipswich through - December 20, 2000

Irish midfielder Matt Holland delivered an invaluable goal last night to steer Ipswich through to a Worthington Cup semi-final.

The skipper equalised on the hour after opponents Manchester City had taken a tenth-minute lead through Shaun Goater. Holland struck after; keeper Nicky Weaver failed to hold a David Johnson header.

And the Irishman was celebrating the latest chapter in the Ipswich success story when centre back Mark Venus grabbed the extra-time winner.

It wasn't such a good night though for international team-mate Kevin Kilbane, whose Sunderland side were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace in the other semi-final.

Elsewhere across the water, Irishman Paul McCarthy scored the winner as Wycombe beat Millwall in their FA Cup second-round replay.

« back to Irish abroad stories

« back to main headlines