Killyleagh get player red-carded but survive with a draw against Ballynahinch Olympic
The NAFL,
Division 1A,
Killyleagh, 13th December 2023,
Final Score: Killyleagh YM 1 1 Ballynahinch Olympic.
On a pitch still quite soft from the recent flooding, Killyleagh YM lined up against Ballynahinch Olympic in this Division 1A clash but last a player red-carded but held on to salvage a point writes Jim Masson.
Killyleagh has gone through a tough time over the past two seasons and management, players and supporters are delighted with new additions to the team.
Former players Keegan Rice who played for Derriaghy and keeper Aaron Carberry who went to East Belfast are back in action for Kllyleagh YM once more along with Gary Carberry, but for this game, Sam Carson was missing due to a one match suspension.
The match started off cautiously by both teams then Killyleagh were the first to attack up the right with winger Ethan Davidson putting his stamp on the game early with a brilliant cross.
The game settled into a pace where both teams were quite industrious trying to find and edge. Killyleagh’s Kristopher Russel struck a cross from Davidson but he was on target but hit a defender then skipper Darren McConnell hit a low shot but it went just wide of the back post.
Ballynahinch too had a few excellent charges at the Killyleagh goal. They had an opportunity on a break when Steven McGoran hit a volley over the bar.
Especially in the first half, Nathan Jones was making short, fast bursts worrying the Killlyleagh defence, but was never-the-less well marked by the Killyleagh back line.
Killyleagh enjoyed a period of dominance but Olympic’s Jason Noade broke one goal effort when he was in the right place at the right time to head out a shot destined for the back of his nets.
Both teams were struggling to find that elusive opening goal but so far had cancelled each other out. Lee Ward managed to fire off a volley at the Killyleagh nets on target but keeper Carberry was on hand to subdue the ball safely.
Then Olympics Caolan Burns hit a shot on target but Carberry was there to expertly get the ball under control.
On the 26th minute, Killyleagh eventually scored after several attempts with a well taken goal by Toby Cairnduff hitting the ball low to the rear post giving keeper Ryan Walsh no chance.
But fortune turned against Killyleagh when forward Kieran Russell challenged the Olmpic goalkeeper in the goal mouth a little too vigorously and received a red card for a two footed tackle.
Killyleagh followed up with another attack then the pendulum swung round and it was Olympics turn to challenge when Caolan Burns and lee Ward rushed into empty space in front of the Killyleagh goal but the cross never materialised as keeper Carberry was on the ball and intercepted it.
The first half ended with Olympic’s Niall Flanaghan cross the ball to Steven McGoran who struck the ball just inches over the top bar.
The second half started and Killyleagh looked as though they had eaten a three cours Christmas dinner. They looked uninspired and Olympic started to work back into the game with a series of useful attacks.
The best of this was when Chris McNamara rose up well for the ball from a corner and headed narrowly missing a goal by going inches on the wrong side of the post.
Olympic Kept up the steady attacks and Killyleagh were feeling the pressure. Eventually the home side broke forward quickly with excellent passing from Caolan Lennon to Ethan Davidson to Toby Cairnduff, the latter under-hitting it in the final touch and keeper Walsh managed to scoop it up.
Olympic finally got the equaliser from Nathan Jones in the 66th minute as he hammered the ball into the Killyleagh net.
Nathan Jones, a player with a high work rate, later took a free kick from outside the Killyleagh penalty box hitting low to the back post but keeper Carberry managed to scoop it up safely.
The match slowed a bit towards the end. Players had been playing on a very soft pitch and their legs were tired, and they had used up their substitutes. A number of players were cramping up.
Had Killyleagh not gone a player down in the first half, the result may well have been different producing a narrow win for Killyleagh.
As the game approached the final whistle and the light started to dim badly, both teams will be relieved on settling for a draw on this occasion.
Killyleagh is third from the bottom of Division 1A, but Ballynahinch Olympic in fifth bottom spot have two games (wins) completed in front of them.
Killyleagh were not to be written off even at this closing stages of the match… Toby Cairnduff managed to fire off a great volley on target but keeper Walsh made a fine save at full stretch managing to palm the ball away from his nets.
Killyleagh YM: 1 Aaron Carberry (GK 2 Mark Murray 3 Caolan Lennon 4 Ross Murray 5 Gary Carberry 6 Darren McConnell (C) 7 Ethan Davidson 8 Branon Clarke 9 Kristopher Russell 10 Keegan Rice. Subs: 12 Peter Russell 14 Toby Cairnduff 14 David Johnston.
Ballynahinch Olympic: 1 Ryan Walsh (GK) 2 Jack Roddy 3 Ryan Walsh 4 Michael Rice 5 Jason Noade 6 Lee Ward 7 Caolan Burns 8 Steven McGoran 9 Chris McNamara (C) 10 Nathan Jones 12 Niall Flanaghan. Subs: 14 Shea Quinn, 15 Liam Burns 16 Philip Gladysz.
