Derriaghy CC took control in the second half and East Belfast could not crack their defence
The NAFL,
The Border Cup Final,
Venue: Seaview, 26 12 25,
Final Score: Derriaghy CC 2 0 East Belfast.
Former Border Cup winners in 2021-22, Derriaghy CC who beat Rathfriland in a tight match 1-0 to lift the coveted amateur cup, faced East Belfast on trhis occasion, regular finalists, were in no mood for giving way to their opponents Derriaghyy CC writes Jim Masson.
From the whistle East Belfast attacked hard and it took Derriaghy 15 minutes to contain them until Lewis Higginson tried his first volley on target from 40 yards but it was well held by keeper Christopher Carson.
In a reply Rhys Kelly fired just over the Derriaghy top bar. The East Belfast won a corner and pressed the Derriaghy goal once again.
Minutes later Deriaghy’s Nick Beta was inches away from scoring with a solid strike.
Then on the 24th minute, a cross into the East Belfast box found Higginson who had the space to hammer the ball home in a crowded box to open the scoring for the blues.
Derriaghy were playing more confidently having weathered the early East Belfast storm and then Beta made a strong solo run past three defenders but eventually hit wide.
As the first half progressed, East Belfast progressively became more physical in their approach and the match stopped and started with fouls and injuries as both sides collided.
There was a moment of danger when East Belfast’s winger Brandon Lindsay whipped an excellent cross to the Derriaghy goalmouth but it was cleared after several efforts.
An attack again from Lindsay to Kyle Woods to Jadyn Withers almost paid off for East Belfast but the ball was cleared to safety as they battled for the equaliser just before half-time.
Referee Jimmy Joihnstone gave 3 extra minutes in the first half due to injuries then blew for half-time.
As expected East Belfast came out fighting and attacked right away with a cross from Woods to Noah MItchel but Derriaghy keeper Nicholl was on form and sailed high to grab the ball and minutes later made a great diving save when Lindsay hit to the right hand post.
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Derriaghy could feel the pressure from East Belfast pulling out all the stops, but Derriaghy fought back and a cross from Beta to Curtis Brown almost paid off for the leaders.
Beta was playing a key role in attacks and again a cross from the left to Beta in the box saw him quickly slam the ball into the East Belfast net in the 66th minute to make a comeback for East Belfast all the more difficult.
Derriaghy were forced to defend well and make occasional attacks as East Belfast increased the pressure on Derriaghy and the game did get a lot more physical and substitions were made.
On one break Derriaghy sub Kyle Flynn was just wide inches of the target.
As the game was coming to an end and East Belfast were pushing their players forward, they left their rear unguarded and sub Stephen Shearer made a good run at their goal forcing keeper to run out of his box but eventually an offside was given against Derriaghy.
And Derriaghy player Joseph Reid minutes later headed home but again the linesman raised his flag for offside.
The became had become scrappy with fouls, and the odd scuffle, but a frustrated East Belfast could not score which was a tribute to the Derriaghy defence to took quite a battering particularly in the dyng minutes of the game.
East Belfast player Daryl Evans received a red card just before the final whistle.
But there was no doubt about who the winners were who held on to their 2-0 lead well. Derriaghy CC were disciplined and certainly well tested by their opponents.
The Player of the Match was Derriaghy’s No 8 Lewis Higginson who opened the scoring.
East Belfast have made five appearances in the Border Cup over the years, losing twice and Derriaghy CC apearing twice, winning twice.
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Derriaghy CC: 25 Jonah Nicholl (GK) 2 Gareth Henderson (C) 3 Curtis Brown 4 Barry Moore 5 Ben Hamill 6 Jordan Malone 7 Nick Beta 8 Lewis Higginson 10 Keegan Rice 11 Nicholas Napier 15 Jospeh Reid. Subs: 9 Stephen Shearer 12 Ethan Taggart 16 Andrew Foster.
East Belfast: 1 Christopher Carson (GK) 2 Jack Kinner 3 Taylor Evans 4 Ross McCaughan 5 Paul Waite 6 Rhys Kelly 7 Noah Mitchel 8 Daryl Evan (C) 9 Jadyn Withers 10 Kyle Woods 11 Brandon Lindsay. Subs: Kyle Flynn 14 Nathan Clarke 15 Bradley Porter
