Killough FC turned up the heat on the Celtic Bhoys Academy in the second half after drawing 1-1 in the first period
Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Kitroom Cup Qualifier,
Final Score: Killough 5 1 Celtic Bhoys Academy.
Killough were pressing from the start but the match was level for most of the first half with a few good moves from the home side. Celtic Bhoys Academy (Celtic) were a bit under strength but were holding their own writes Jim Masson.
Gradually Killough increased the pressure with good moves from Jamie McIlhone to Daire McLaughlin then Rory Sharvin to McLaughlin.
Celtic won a free kick and Lee Murphy headed just over the on what was a clear opportunity to go one up.
Killough replied and Sharvin battled his way close to the Celtic box and Jamie McIlhone fired off a shot but was just wide.
Gradually Killough were ratcheting up the pressure and again Tony McIlhone and Rory Sharvin pressed to the Celtic goal but keeper David Imbries made a fine save.
In the 40th minute Corey McCartan scored well for Celtic against the general run of play putting the visitors in the lead.
Then finally in the 43rd minute in the first half after Killough going up a gear, Daire McLaughlin beat the offside trap and ran in to the goal slotting the ball in to equalise with Celtic.
The second half started with Killough immediately on the front foot and within 10 minutes when sub Jack McLaughlin put the ball through to Jamie Mcilhone who ran on and scored the second goal after beating a defender in the box.
The third goal came in the 54th minute when a good passing move from Jamie McIlhone to Ryan Burns to Matthew McKernan went through to Tony McIlhone who smashed the ball to the top left corner of the Celtic net from just outside the box.
Celtic were looking a bit under pressure but kept their composure as Killough started to dominate the second half.
There were a few near misses and corners from Killough but after sustained attacks, defender Ryan Burns ran through and crossed to Jack McLaughlin who hit on target, the ball coming off a defender.
And within a minute a long ball upfield to Killough’s Jamie McIlhone saw him break through the defenders and slot past keeper David Imbries who had made some excellent saves through the match.
Killough came out the clear victors and qualified for the next stage in the Kitroom Cup. They looked impressive but missed a few good opportunities especially in the second half.
Killough FC: 1 Patrick Murphy 2 Ryan Burns 3 Lee Murphy 4 Matthew McKiernan 5 Sean Og Burns 6 Adam McGarrity 7 Ben McLaughlin 8 Tony McIlhone 9 Jamie McIlhone 10 Rory Sharvin 11 Daire McLaughlin Subs: 12 Conor Kelly 13 Collin Craig 14 Ryan McIlhone 15 Declan Burns 16 Jack McLaughlin.
Celtic Bhoys Academy: 1 David Imbries 2 Abdul Rukabi 3 Matthew MCKee 4 Blaine Connolly 5 Ryan Doran 6 Ciaran McMenamin 7 Conor Carberry 8 Sean Paul Thompson 9 Patrick Ferris 10 Chris Curran 11 Corey McCartan. Sub: Michael Rice.
