NAFL
League match – Division One
Saturday 22nd September
Killyleagh YC 3 Dunmurry Rec 0
Killyleagh maintained their unbeaten league start without ever being seriously tested at The Showgrounds on Saturday writes Chris Hagan.
Jack Sharvin had an early half chance and Adam Neale hit a rocket straight at the keeper. It was the 19th minute before the home side carved out their best chance. Kieran Sullivan picked out Jon Joe Sharvin. He played a beautiful ball through to his brother, Jack but his effort cracked off the post and rolled all the way along the line before being cleared.
Within a minute Macauley Foster was denied by an outstanding save to keep out his header.
Killyleagh were knocking at the door and Keegan Rice was denied by another good save before he turned provider with a cross for Neale who created an opening for the always willing Jon Joe Sharvin. However, he shot wide.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the next attack on the half hour mark when Jon Joe Sharvin threaded the ball through for Neale to apply a clinical finish for his 13th goal of the season.
Just like last week, the home side continued to spurn chances, but just like last week, they came out of the changing rooms after the half time break with a greater tempo to their play. And the game was finished within five minutes of the restart.
Barry Treacy has given them greater options with his delivery from dead balls and it was from a corner that they made it 2-0 in the 49th minute. The inspirational Darren McConnell did well to head back across goal for Foster to score a headed goal from a corner for the second successive week.
From the restart the Rec’s keeper, who had performed well, had an absolute nightmare dealing with a backpass and it rolled over the line to make it 3-0 after 50 minutes.
There were good saves at both ends after this, first by the recalled YC keeper Aaron Carberry to keep the Rec out, and then at the other end in the 78th minute to deny a Neale header.
Jack Sharvin tried to tee up Rice, Treacy’s pinpoint free was almost nudged home by McConnell and there was a late opening for Robbie Hagan but Kilyleagh could not add to their tally.
Early elimination from the Border and Steel Cups has allowed Killyleagh to concentrate on the league but with the better teams from their division still on cup runs, YC manager Paul Sharvin realises the early season surge up the league is something of a false position with the last two wins coming against teams at the base of the table.
They will not get it as comfortable this weekend when Killyleagh entertain current Premier Section kingpins and treble winners, Crumlin Star, in the Irish Cup.
