Ardglass pile the pressure on Dundrum Utd
Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
Premier League.
Match Report by Jim Masson, from Ballykinlar.
Saturday 19th February 2022.
Dundrum 1 4 Ardglass.
On a dry but freezing cold day between storms, Ardglass FC firsts travelled to Ballykinlar to meet Dundrum.
Ardglass were off the mark early and were probing the Dundrum goal area and a clearance header by Daryl Russell denied the visitors in the opening minutes. Dundrum soon were under pressure as Ardglass attacked again and Steven Deegan put an excellent ball through to Michael Magee in the box but keeper Johnny McGreevy came out to meet hiim and block the shot at goal.
After a few minutes Ardglass won a free on the half-way line and Magee again broke quickly and won a corner but Dundrum cleared it well and made a determined break up the pitch. Dundrum Captain Chris Hogg took the first shot at the Ardglass goal on target but Mark Armstrong cleared it promptly.
But the visitors were back quickly into their Dundrum goal area and Jordan Kennedy made a solid clearance denying the Ardglass strikers.
Dundrum were trying to move the ball around the pitch more holding possession, but Ardglass stepped up a gear and were popping balls into the Dundrum goal area. Captain Matthew Rooney took one volley at the goal but was wide. However, Dundrum were not lying down and won their way back up to threaten the Ardglass nets and won a corner.
Then in another attack, Michael Magee battled his way past the Dundrum defenders and found space to slot the ball in past keeper McGreevy on 26 minutes. The persistence of the visitors had paid off eventually.
But before Ardglass could even rest on their laurels, Dundrum struck back as Christopher Mulholland equalised, and it was game on. Ardglass fought back and Magee received a long ball into the box and his header on target was just held by McGreevy.
As the match hurled towards the break, striker Magee made another burst into the Dundrum box and was taken down by defender Daryl Russell. The referee immediately pointed to the spot. Deegans stepped up and buried the ball into the Dundrum net to put Ardglass in the lead once more.
But Ardglass punished Dundrum again very quickly before the half-time whistle when left winger Christian O’Connor beat McGreevy and knocked the ball inside the right hand post putting Ardglass 1-3 up at the break.
Dundrum came out after a pep talk and looked more lively and intent on scoring. But Magee put a neat ball through to Deegan who was inches from striking when McGreevy bravely grabbed the ball.
Ardglass were two goals up and were playing with Deegan, Magee and Jordan Finnegan up front keeping up the pressure.
The best opportunity came for Dundrum when Jordan Kennedy went up for a well taken header but keeper Mark Armstrong read it well and caught the ball headed on target.
As the game wore on, it became more physical, and several substitutions were made by both teams.
Rooney played an excellent ball through to Christian O’Connor heading for goal but he was denied by two defenders closing him down.
Magee was still a clear and present danger and one volley on target was forced out by keeper McGreevy who was having quite a busy game for a corner.
Dundrum placed Daryl Russell and sub Aaron McKibben up front ploughing a lonely furrow.
Dundrum defender Gavin Grant made a vital save heading off the line as Ardglass increased the pressure further. And sub James Glavin too volleyed forcing Armstrong to palm the ball down and grab it on a second go. Mulholland too was also pushing to claw back the score.
Then in a final moment of drama putting the score beyond Dundrum, Shane Taggert got possession after the ball bounced off keeper McGreevy and netted for Ardglass on 43 minutes.
Both teams showed a good work rate through the match and must be commended given the cold and blustery conditions they played in in a match that at times was quite physical.
Dundrum Utd: Johnny McGreevy, Gavin Grant, Patrick Cunningham, Jordan Kennedy, Daryl Russell, Mark Grant, Chris Hogg (C) Kyle Glavin, Christopher Mulholland, Rory Connor, Jamie Carroll. Subs: Aaron McKibben, Ruairi Mahon, James Glavin.
Ardglass FC: Mark Armstrong, Conor Kearney, Malachy Crangle, Neil Teggart, Caolain O’Shea, Matthew Rooney (C), Steven Deegan, Sean Paul Halpin, Michael Magee, Jordan Finnegan, Christian O’Connor. Subs: Shea Dorian, Shane Teggart, Antoin O’Shea.
