Killough Hold Ballyvea In Tight Struggle

Premier League Killough  1  Ballyvea  1 THE Ampion Newcastle League certainly came to life today (15th October) as league leaders Ballyvea clashed with  Killough who were trailing joint second with Ballyvange. This was always going to be a tough battle with ten points separating the league leaders from the second rung. It was Ballyvea who put the homeside under pressure in the opening stages of the match with a quick attaching move from `Brian White to Timmy Johnston which just scrapped past the Killough post. There was a disciplined look about the confident Ballyvea side  and they were showing some excellent short passing from midfield up the pitch making Killough do the work. [caption id="attachment_30648" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Killough battled against a tough Ballyvea side for a draw."][/caption] A poor clearnance by Killough keeper Ovis Mallon saw Ballyveagh’s Timmy Johnston fire at the Killough goals from a distance, the volley being fingered over the bar by Mallon for a corner. Killough were initially well contained by the Ballyvea defence and it was not until their first real opportunity arose with Freddie O’Connor making a good deep cross but there were no takes at the end of it. Gradually there were signs that Killough was fighting its way back into the match against a Ballyvea side side intent on going home with the points. It was ball;yvea who created the next goal opportunity when they won a fre kick four yards outside the Killough box. Johnston took the shot for Ballyvea but it was blocked and quickly cleared by Killough. Killough were making good inroads down the left wing with Matthew Sharvin and Darryl Kelly battled through the Ballyvea wall to create a chance but earned Killough’s first corner. Soon after Freddie O’Connor in the 26th minute soloed through and shot low the ball beat the Ballyvea keeper sailing into the back post. A triumphant Killough went up a gear sensing the the league leaders could crumble after their efforts to score had so far failed. But Ballyvea fought back and within minutes Mark Burden just missed a goal heading over the bar. Burden was giving the Killough defenders a bit of trouble in the air given he was that bit taller. As the match wore on you just felt that Ballyvea had more under their bonnet but had not yet gone up that gear. As the first half drew to a close, it was Ballyvea who had produced the most goal chances yet were goalless. From the whistle in the second half, Ballyvea came out fighting and a quick attack almost paid off. And soon after Burden sliced just over the bar. But it was Killough who fought back with the wind no win their backs and in the 63rd minute Aaron Hutchinson missed the best opporuntity fro Killough in the second half  having broken past a defender and took on the keeper only to shoot wide. [caption id="attachment_30650" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Killough's Colum Stranney clears the ball as Ballyvea press forward."][/caption] Ballyvea were relentless and the Killough back line of Kieran and Hadrain Sharvin, Conor Doyle and Colum Stranney were stretch at times to hold back the Ballyvea attacks. In the 73rd minute Ballyvea forced a corner and David Morris expertly nodded the ball down but there were no Ballyvea boots there to convert it. Then another corner saw a handling foul by sub Gareth George and Burden spotted the ball and placed it comfortably into the Killough net to level the score. As both teams battled for the winner, the game became even more competitive and physical with injury stoppages and a couple of yellow cards. O’Connor was having a great game for Killough and fought through the Ballyvea back line to volley at goal only to see the keeper finger the ball over the bar. Then Burden who was going well when Ballyvea shot a peach at the Killough goal to be saved by Killough keeper Mallon who was definitely on his toes in this match. Killough’s Kelly and Hutchinson were yellow carded as the temperature of the game rose as Killough fought for a winning goal. The game was on a knife edge. The game ended with a good move from Hutchinson to O’Connor to Matthew Sharvin but the shot was blocked summing up the titanic struggle and near misses both teams had experienced. This was a close game. Killough narrowed the gap in the Premier League and it is conceivable that a proud Killough may once again be chasing this title. There was no sign they were going to lie down to Ballyvea. Their next encounter will be equally as exciting. Killough team: Ovis Mallon, Kieran Sharvin, Adrian Sharvin, Conor Doyle, Colum Stranney, Freddie O’Connor, Darryl Kelly, Stephen Black, Eoin McCavera, Aaron Hutchinson, Matthew Sharvin. Subs: Gareth George, Terry Rooney and Nicky O’Connor. Ballyvea team: Stephen Main, Matthew Johnston, Keith Hanna, Jeffrey Bennet, Colin Jones, Brian White, Timmy Johnston, Philip Main, Mark Burden, Mark O’Connell, David Morris. Subs: William Walmsley, Peter Hegham and Gary Agnew.]]>