Castlewellan Forest stump Ardglass in NFU Mutual Harry Clarke Cup Round 2
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Bann Road Playing Fields – Saturday 28th January 202,
Castlewellan Forest 2 1 Ardglass FC.
Seasiders Ardglass failed in their bid to get through to the next round of the Harry Clarke Cup but are still holding on to their position at the top of the Premier League table writes Jim Masson.
The match began with a lively attack by the visitors Ardglass and on the fourth minute the pressure forced a defensive error on the box and a penalty was given.
(Photos by © Jim Masson / Down News).
Steven Deegans stepped up to the spot for a golden opportunity to put Ardglass ahead but his kick sailed over the top bar.
Undeterred, Ardglass fought back quickly and a dipping free kick from John Beatiie on the right almost saw the back of the Castlewellan net but was held well by Castlewellan keeper Joseph O’Neill.
Castlewellan weather the Ardglass storm and started to push back and a move by Sean Dornan threading through the Ardglass players and passing to Connor Orderly was a great first challenge to the Ardglass goal but keeper James Crangle managed to hold the shot.
Michael Magee was positioned up in centre forward position but the Castlewellan defence closed much of his opportunities down early on.
Gradually Castlewellan became more confident and coordinated and pressed into the Ardglass half more often.
A chance emerged for Castlewellan on 18 minutes when Sean Dornan took a free kick a couple of yards outside the Ardglass box. The low volley on target was however well saved by Crangle.
Minutes later Castlewellan were on a break and Aidan Dornan sent off a ripper of a volley but keeper Crangle make a great fingertip save at full stretch denying the goal.
On 27 minutes, Castlewellan pressure forced a corner and Aidan Dornan connected with a glancing back header beating Crangle putting the homeside a goal up.
10 minutes later Castlewellan’s Jack Murnin unleashed a volley which hit the top post and the rebound was hammered into the back of the Ardglass net by Aidan Dornan putting Castlewellan 2 goals up.
Ardglass immediately fought back and BJ McMenamin fed the ball to Magee who had a chance of goal but was quickly smothered by Castlewellan defenders.
Then it was Castlewellan’s turn to press forward and Orderly made an excellent shot on target by Crangle again was on form and held it well.
The game moved back up into the Castlewellan half and Ardglass defender Michael Clarke made an excellent volley again to see O’Neill handle the ball well.
Castlewellan were 2 goals to the better and had managed to take advantage of the opportunities wheras Ardglass has been dogged by a determined defence and bad luck.
The second half kicked off and Ardglass again were on the front foot pressing. There was an early good move by Deegan, Magee and MccMenamin but somehow O’Neill showed his team were in safe hands and he gathered the ball up.
Gradually the pressure from Ardglass led to a penalty as Conall Burns took down Magee and Ardglass pulled back a goal when McMenamin nailed the ball to the Castlewellan net.
Castlewellan relied strongly and Aidan Rice threatened the Ardglass goal on a number of occasions. On one occasion his shot was saved by the quick reflexes of Ardglass keeper Crangle who was on form.
Magee was well positioned at the back of the Castlewellan box as a striker but he found the opportunities limited as the defenders were quick to challenge everything.
Through the match, Ardglass defender Ryan McEvoy played his part well in keeping Ardglass’ hopes alive making some crucial clearances.
With just over 5 minutes to go Ardglass needed a penalty to force extra time and stay in the Harry Clarke cup. McManamin made a great long shot at the Castlewellan goal but was inches wide.
At the end of the match it was Castlewellan who were attacking Ardglass, Orderly in the thick of the action. Castlewellan managed to keep the ball safely n the Ardglass half long enough until the final whistle.
This was an impressive win for Castlewellan and a rather lacklustre performance by Ardglass.
On paper Ardglass should have been favourites but with some fresh players being fielded they were outgunned by a determined Castlewellan Forest outfit at the Bann Road pitch.
***
Castlewellan Forest: 1 Joseph O’Neill (GK) 2 Cormac McKibben 3 Conleth Kelly 4 Conall Burns 5 Gareth Kidd (C) 6 Caolan Corrigan 7 Sean Dornan 8 Thomas Rice 9 Aidan Dornan 10 Connor Orderly 11 Jack Murnin. Subs: 12 Callum McCabe 14 Scott Kinley 15 Sean Fitzsimmons 17 Shane Mooney.
Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle (GK) 2 Ryan McEvoy, 3 Michael Clarke 4 Malachy Crangle 5 Caolain O’Shea 6 Matthew Rooney (C) 7 Steven Deegan 8 BJ McMenamin 9 Michael Magee 10 Conor Kearney 11. Subs: 13 Philip Sutcliffe 14 James Telford 16 David Armstrong.
