Strangford FC Eyeing Up The Harry Clarke Cup After Win Over Ballyvea IIIs
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Harry Clark Cup Round 2,
Venue: The Links, on 8 2 25,
Final Score: Strangford FCxa05xa0xa0xa0xa00xa0Ballyvea III.
Strangford entertained Ballyvea IIIs at the Links for this Harry Clarke Cup 2ndxa0round tie played on a very uneven pitch. Both teams started brightly but Strangford looked the sharper of the two writes Cyril McKinney.
With Conal Fitzsimons up front with his direct and powerful running, Strangford took the lead after just 13 minutes from their number 9 after a great run and right wing cross from David Shields. He was on hand in front of goal to side foot home past a helpless Andrew Burden in the Ballyvea goal.
Four minutes later it was 2-0xa0when a Paul Donnelly goal bound shot from 25 yards was deflected past the keeper to put the home side in firm control.
Ballyvea played some good football without really threatening the Strangford goal whilst at the other end Strangford had opportunities but were wasteful in front of goal.
On twelve minutes into the second half Strangford increased their lead through Conall Magee who headed home a right wing cross from Conal Fitzsimons at the back post.Ballyvea continued to take the game to Strangford but had no cutting edge in the final third.
Substitute Luc Toland took advantage of a poor clearance to fire home his side’s 4thxa0goal on 69 minutesxa0xa0and on 76 minutes Thomas Fitzsimons made it 5 -0 with a thumping header from a right wing cross.
Overall a good team performance from the home side Strangford FC with decent performances across the pitch and credit to Ballyvea who kept battling away against the odds.
Strangford FC: 1 Gregory Holland (GK) 2 Stefan McGrattan 3 Eoin Watterson 4 Thomas Fitzsimons (C) 5 Fionn McFall 6 David Shields 7 Paul Donnelly 8 Aodhan Harney 9 Conal Fitzsimons 1O Owen Curran 11 Conall Magee. Subs: 12 Luc Toland for Stefan McGrattan, 14 James Johnston for Conal Magee, 15 Darren Black for Conal Fitzsimons.
Ballyvea III: Andrew Burden (GC), Karl Patterson,xa0xa0A N Other, Roger Hawthorn, Pierre Simon, Matthew Graham, Mark McConnell, Jeffrey Stewart (C), AN Other, AN Other, AN Other. Subs: Alan McConnell, Lee Thompson forxa0Mark McConnell, Lindsay Crutchley for xa0AN Other.
