Hard fought battle between Celtic Bhoys Academy and Ballynagross FC ends in draw
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Premier Division,
League Match, At Ballyhornan 3G on Saturday 15 2 25,
Final score: Celtic Bhoys Academyxa03xa0xa03xa0Ballynagross.
This local derby proved to be a highly competitive game played at a fast pace and ended up with honours even.
But teams set out their stall earlier on and it was Celtic Bhoys who had the first attempt on goal in the first minute but Ballynagross keeper Martin Holland closed down Jamie O’Connor and blocked a goal bound shot at the expense of a corner. writes Cyril McKinney.
Ballynagross responded and on 4 minutes Daniel Taggart sent clear his strike partner Oran Cunningham who fired home past a helpless Stephen Moore to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Back came Celtic Bhoys who levelled things up on 13 minutes through a snapshot from Kyle McKeever which deceived Holland in the Ballynagross nets and ended up in the net.
The celebrations were short-lived when Ballynagross number 8 put the visitors back in front with a unchallenged back post header from a right wing corner.
Minutes later Ballynagross keeper Holland got injured clearing a ball and had to be replaced by Neill.xa0
Sean Cahill replaced Lewis Digney at halftime for Celtic Bhoys and 5 minutes into the second half Cahill fired home to square things up but Ballynagross responded almost immediately and Justin Magilton fired home with a great left foot pile driver from 18 yards on 54 minutes to restore the visitors advantage.
Celtic showed great grit and determination and pressed forward at every opportunity through some great runs from Aidy Connolly and the hard working Cahill. On 70minutes their pressure paid off and Christopher Curranxa0headed home from a right wing crossxa0xa0to level things up again.
This time despite the best efforts of both teams neither side could conjure up any clear cut opportunities and the game ended 3-3.
It should be noted that despite this game being a local derby the game was played in a very sporting manner.xa0
Celtic Bhoys Academy: Stephen Moore, Jay McStravick,xa0xa0Matthew McKee,xa0Riain Doran, Ciaran McMenamin, Christopher Curran, Lewis Digney, Kyle McKeever, Aidan Connolly, Conor Carberry, Jamie O’Connor. Subs: Sean Cahill for Lewis Digney, James-Dean McCreesh for Jay McStravick,xa0xa0Craig Millar for Jamie O’Connor
Ballynagrossxa0FC: Martin Holland,xa0Odhran Hynds, Darragh Higgins, Corey Digney, Justin Magilton, Corey Davis, Jamie Boyd, Luca Carew, Oran Cunningham, Daniel Taggart, Keanen Curran. Subs: Luke Cunninghamxa0xa0for Darragh Higgins, Aidan McNeill for Martin Holland, Ethan Brown for Corey Digney
