Drumaness Mills Hit Killyleagh For Six

Drumaness Mills enjoy strong win over Killyleagh YM

The NAFL.

Premier League match.

Venue: Meadowvale, Drumaness.

Saturday 19th November 2022.

Drumaness Mills 6 0 Killyleagh.

Killyleagh were put through the meat grinder on Saturday as this Premier Division match fired up against Drumaness Mills at Meadowvale writes Jim Masson.

Drumaness Mills are on a roll at the moment following their semi-final win over Rosario last Wednesday.

But they are still near the bottom of the league table above Killyleagh. So this match was for vital points for both sides and a close fought battle was expected.

However, it was Drumaness who were the dominant team from the whistle pressing Killyleagh into their own half.

Dougan almost opened the scoresheet with a crisply taken goal running into the Killyleagh box in the 9th minute but keeper Conceicao made a fine save.

Then 2 minutes later McConville headed in well from a free taken by captain Gary Murdock.

Killyleagh tried to push the homeside back and a cross from Deegan to Hamilton almost saw an equaliser. This was one of the few opportnities Drumaness gave Killyleagh in the increasingly one-sided match.

Dougan was as ever looking the danger man and quietly worked away up front and made throughout the game a number of good moves with Sharvin lurking just behind the forward line.

Sharvin was a constant danger and on 32 minutes scored the second goal for Killyleagh from a penalty having already made several blasts at the Killyleagh goal unsuccessfully. Dougan had charged into the box and was taken down by defender Kennedy before he could shoot and referee Peter Murray pointed to the spot.

Dougan then scored 7 minutes later as he charged into the box finding possession of the ball and chipped it past Conceicao for a Drumaness third goal, and the first of his hat-trick.

Despite the final scoreline, Killyleagh keeper Conceicao was making some great saves. Dougan crossed to McGivern who set up a header for Rooney but Conceicao smothered the ball safely on the line.

Sharvin was on fire and made a few 40-yard volleys at the Killyleagh goal (probably remembering his powerful drive scoring at Seaview in the Border Cup semi-final).

And again the Killyleagh keeper managed to hold a difficult snap shot from Drumaness’ right winger Rooney who figured in a number of crosses.

Just on half-time, Savage passed to Sharvin who ran at the Killyleagh goal but keeper Conceicao came out well closing him down.

The second period started off with Drumaness pressing but Killyleagh soon had their best spell of sustained attacks, but it was relatively short lived as Drumaness clawed their way back into the dominant position.

Killyleagh’s sub Cahrous came close to scoring but Mills keeper McCann came out and narrow the attack blocking the shot.

The second half was a much more rumbusteous affair with four yellow cards dished out to Drumaness players (Bell, Rooney, Savage and McGivern.)

Then Rooney took a charge at the Killyleagh defenders in a solo run and his volley bounced off keeper Conceicao.

Another good move from Kearney passing to Sharvin saw the latter volley the ball at the Killyleagh goal only to hit the top bar.

The fourth Drumaness goal came on 64 minutes when Dougan was in the middle of the box when he found possession and did not hesitate to net the ball before the hapless Killyleagh defenders could tackle him.

Then a whisker later, on 65 minutes when Rooney received the ball from Dougan and left footed it smartly into the Killyleagh net.

Drumaness appeared to sit back on their strong lead avoiding any injuries in a match where the play had become somewhat erratic due to injuries, fouls and confrontation.

The final touch came from Dougan again as he accomplished his hat-trick in a minute in extra time when sub Mason made a challenging run down the left and crossed to Dougan positioned waiting in the box to knock the ball into the net.

It was a difficult match for Killyleagh who are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table. Drumaness Mills will be glad of the win, adding to their confidence, and looking to get clear of the league bottom before long.

Drumaness Mills will be playing in the final of the Border Regiment Cup on Boxing Day at Seaview in Belfast and will face either East Belfast or Crumlin Star.

Drumaness Mills: C McCann (GK), B Campbell, K Domican, T McConville, G Murdock (C), J McGivern, E Rooney, O Savage, C Dougan, J Sharvin, A Kearney. Subs, J Kerr, D Bell, R Mason.

Killyleagh YM: M Conceicao, N Hamilton, R Blaney, J Kennedy, D Heaney, P Russell, J Clydesdale, C Hamilton, N Cousins, R Deegan, K Moore. Subs: M Murray, N Williams McCabe, R Cahrous.