Drumaness Mills faced determined Immaculata FC opposition in NAFL league clash
The NAFL,
Premier League match,
Venue: Meadowvale, Saturday 1 2 25,
Drumaness Mills 1 0 Immaculata.
This mid-table league clash between Drumaness Mills and Immaculata was always going to be a tight affair with both teams being cautious from the whistle. And both teams were certainly canny but this did not stop the excitement as they both tested out each other’s defences in attacking moves writes Jim Masson.
Drumaness got off to a good start and captain Gary Murdock made a couple of good clearances as Immaculata foraged early.
But Drumaness stayed steady and eventually won a free kick on the edge of the Immaculata box and Aidan Watson’s kick was just wide of the right hand post.
Declan Looney started to make solid incursion into the visitors’ defence. setting up on one occasion a volley for Watson again who just went wide. Drumness had steadied well and were eyeing up the Immaculata goal but the visitors were not rolling over. They made a number of penetrating attacks as the first half wore on.
Check out match action photos here
Drumaness looked confident but needed that opening goal to give them a cushion. But Immaculata were always threatening and on one attack it took an excellent tackle by Murdock to stop Kennedy taking a shot in the box for the visitors.
Peter Brannigan was playing well in centre midfield and looked fairly well in control most of the time. Gradually Calum Dougan was getting better feeds and Keegan Rice on one occasion pushed the ball through for Dougan to lash a volley at the Immaculata goals but he went wide.
Immaculata kept challenging as both teams wanted that first goal and the match at times was evenly balanced. McCaul made an excllent effort with a header but went just over the Drumaness top bar.
In this roller coaster of a match Looney and Dougan made a great play and were within scoring distance but just lost poossession when it mattered.
As Looney was stepping up his efforts, he made a run and challenged the Immaculata goalkeeper then collapsed in agony as he went over his ankle. He was then substituted by Stefan Mason on 30 minutes.
Mason continued to challenge the defence well on the right wind making fierce runs and firing in good crosses.
As the game resulmed Immaculata attacked and Sloan’s volley was just over the Drumaness top bar. Drumaness managed to restore their composure again and were never-the-less cautious as the visitors had several clear efforts at the Drumaness goal but keeper Aaron Carberry was on form.
Jack Sharvin had been sitting deeper and found space to hit a volley with a few minutes to go to the half-time whistle but it sailed over the top bar.
In one attack, Sharvin played a crafty dummy to Watson in the Immaculata box and it almost paid off. Then Dougan charged but he was swamped by defenders when he reached the box.
Just before the whistle for the first half, Brannigan crossed to Mason who put the ball through to Sharvin but a defender made a crucial block to deny him a goal opportunity.
The second half showed Drumaness come out and perform more strongly overall, with Dougan playing a more active role. He made an excellent left footer but the keeper held it well.
Check out match action photos here
Then in a follow-up attack, Dougan ran into the penalty box and was tripped and despite remonstrations from Immaculata, the referee pointed to the spot. Jack Sharvin stepped up and blasted the ball into the middle of the net to put Drumaness in the lead in this tight match on 55 minutes.
As Immaculata fought back they won a couple of corners putting Drumaness under a bit of pressure as they scrambled to get an equaliser but the home side sealed their fate and held firm.
Brannigan made a great volley from 40 yards that was just inches wide of the left hand post. Gradually Drumaness became more dominant with Mason and Dougan threatening the visitors’ goal on a regular basis. Sharvin too unleashed a solid shot by the keeper just managed to control it.
Immaculata were definitely trying to pull back a goal and never gave up. But Drumaness had the advantage and were holding on well. At one stage left back Thomas McNeil played well holding of two defenders and crossing to Brannigan whose shot was again just held by the keeper. Then Brannigan was cramping up and came off replaced by Aaron Mooney.
But Drumaness held well and managed to beat off any challenges to their goal. At the other end, Mason had stepped up his attacks having a fresher set of legs and was close to scoring on a couple of occasions.
Check out match action photos here
When the final whistle blew in this grinder of a match, Drumaness were relieved to have won the points if but just by a penalty. Immaculata came close on a number of occasion but good defending from Drumaness saved the day and the game for the home side.
Drumnaess are sitting 6th in the Premier League on 20 points after 12 matches and Immaculata are on 19 points but they have just played 11 games.
Drumaness Mills: 1 Aaron Carberry (GK) 2 Damien Turley 3 Thomas McNeill 4 Sean Paul Holland 5 Gary Murdock 6 Peter Brannigan, 7 Declan Looney 8 Keegan Domican 9 Calum Dougan 10 Jack Sharvin 11. Aidan Watson. Subs: 12 Stefan Mason, 14 Aaron Mooney 15 Adam Kearney.
Immaculata: 1 N/A 2 M Mervyn 3 Padraig Adams 4 B McCaul 6 E Templeton 7 L Brady 9 M Sloan 10 B Kennedy 11 C Dynas 18 B McCaul 20 D Bellew. Subs: 19 C Slane Subs: P McAuley 12 E Fallon 19 C Slane.
