news-engine

Shelbourne boss hails ‘world class’ goalkeeper and fires warning to Ajax Eddie Beach saved a penalty and kept out several other chances as Shelbourne kept their Conference League tie alive at the Johan Cruyff Arena. John Russell has hailed “world class” goalkeeper Eddie Beach and warned Ajax that they will face a “different game” at Tolka Park next week. Ajax will take a 3-1 lead into the second leg of this Conference League third qualifying round tie, but Shelbourne will take plenty of belief into next Thursday’s game. Dan Kelly’s late goal and a series of outstanding saves by Beach mean Ajax, who had 30 attempts on goal throughout the 90 minutes, only hold a two-goal advantage. Ajax were two-up after just 22 minutes and their scored their third five minutes after half-time. Then Beach saved a Mika Godts penalty - the Ajax winger’s second spot-kick of the night - in what was a massive turning point in the game. And Russell said: “I’m really proud of them. We came up against top-class opposition. We knew we'd have to defend for our lives tonight, bodies on the line. “Eddie Beach, he was world class tonight, absolutely world class. “I’m so thrilled because I knew the potential of him, but to come on this stage and show what he did, he made some big saves. “He obviously made the penalty save and that gave us energy and life, and then the players grew in confidence. “The subs made a good impact on the game and I always felt Dan Kelly was a threat, I felt he was going to get a goal tonight and thankfully he did and he keeps the tie alive.” Beach was only signed last week after injuries robbed new Shels boss Russell of his first and second choice goalkeepers. The Reds chief continued: “He was world class tonight. That gives him such confidence because he's only new into the club.“When you come to a club you want to hit the ground running and he really has.” Goalscorer Kelly had a thankless task last night as he chased shadows for much of the game. He didn’t get his first touch of the ball until the 19th minute. But he was rewarded for his efforts when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area in the 84th minute and he finished calmly into the bottom right hand corner of the net. “He's been superb since I've come into the club,” Russell said of his attacking star. “He's a player that keeps going right to the end. His pace is elite and I felt that tonight. “He had a goal in him because of us defending deep, big spaces on transitions and that we could hurt him with him. “In fairness, first half, final ball, he was nearly in a couple of times. But yeah, he’s a great kid and it’s brilliant for him to score in the Johan Cruyff Arena.” Looking ahead to next week’s second leg, Russell said: “This was about keeping ourselves in the tie, that was the objective. I think we have done that now “If you look at the scoreline, if it was 3-1 before the game, we would have taken it. It lets us come back to Tolka, full house, it's going to be a different game for them as well. “Obviously, this is an unbelievable stadium, the pitch is immaculate, but a different game next week.”