Kilmore Rec lose out to a stronger Albert Foundry
The NAFL Division 1A, League Match,
Saturday 15th April 2023, Robert Adams Park in Crossgar,
Kilmore Rec 0 2 Albert Foundry.
An understrength Kilmore entertained Albert Foundry in this league encounter side but it was the visitors who started well right from the first whistle writes Cyril McKinney.
Kilmore could have benefitted from a win as the points could have kept them in with an outside chance in the promotion race with Dromara Village already through and Kilmore trailing behind Rosemount Rec.
The visitors showed a lot more hunger for the win and chased and harried their hosts and when they played the early ball over the top they looked more likely to score.
On 15 minutes Foundry defender Neill Orr found himself with time and space as he
surged forward in the left channel and as the home defence retreated he unleashed a fierce left foot shot from just outside the box but he dragged his shot narrowly wide.
Kilmore looked sluggish on the ball and could not get their passing game going. Up front their hard working front player Joseph McKinney battled hard but could not conjure up any clear cut opportunities for himself or his strike partners.
As the half progressed the visitors looked the more likely to score and eventually on 33 minutes they took the lead through their captain Darren McComb who scored from close range after a good right wing run and cross from Wilson.
On 43 minutes Thomas Ryan had a chance to double Foundry’s lead but he fired over the top from in front of goal.
Within 4 minutes of the restart Kilmore found themselves 2-0 down when Foundry forward Paul Young was sent clear with a ball over the top on the right wing.
As he advanced towards the Kilmore goals he neatly squared for his strike partner Wilson to calmly slot home from 6 yards giving Kilmore keeper Turley no chance.
Kilmore’s trainer Shea Carville was shown two yellow cards along the line for contesting the referees decision to allow the goal to stand despite a call for hand ball in the lead up to the goal.
As the half progressed Kilmore made a few changes and sent on three young players to freshen things up and for a period of time enjoyed a lot of possession but could not find a way to break down the visitors defence.
Foundry midfielder Arynn Annett was shown a red card on 76 minutes for a second bookable offence. Despite playing 11 against 10 for the last 15 minutes, Kilmore could not engineer any meaningful chances and the game finished 2-0 to the visitors.
Overall this was a lack-lustre performance from a home side missing some key players but
the visitors deserved their victory with a good team performance.
Kilmore Rec: Christopher Turley, Michael Monan, Matthew Stewart, Christopher Magee,
Niall Walsh, Barry Walsh, Anton McGrattan, John Patterson, Joseph
McKinney, Michael Carvill, Caolan Conlon. Subs: Fionn Patrick Mulhern for Michael Monan, Seanna McCusker for John Patterson, Joshua Starkey for Matthew Stewart.
Albert Foundry: Jonathon Sloan, Reece Maxwell, Neill Orr, Bradley McAfee, Cameron Croft,
Arynn Annett, Thomas Ryann, Neil Ballentine, Stephen Wilson, Paul Young,
Darren McComb: Subs: Scott Dunn for Darren McComb, Lewis Smylie.
