Homeside Killyleagh YC salvage a late win over Ballynahinch Utd in a tight struggle
The NAFL,
League Division 1B,
Venue: The Showgrounds, on Tuesday 6 8 25,
Final Score: Killyleagh YC 2 1 Ballynahinch Olympic.
Both teams were relegated from Division 1A last season and will be looking to get a promotion again this season so every point will be vital as the season unfolds writes Jim Masson.
Killyleagh put on a spurt of early presson on the visitors but after 4 minutes Ballynahinch broke through their defence and Ben Cassidy almost scored and minutes later took a shot on target at the Killyleagh goal but it was well blocked by a defender.
Then there was a spell when Olympic were pressing the home side but eventually Killyleagh broke forward and James Healy powered a low shot and it was well held by keeper Ryan Walsh.
Both teams charged up and down the pitch but they tended to cancel each other out. Killyleagh’s nathan Leckey and Kodi Carson played a good run up to the Olympic back line but the ball went out of play.
Again Killyleagh’s cassidy launched a good strike at te Olymoc goal but it was met with a good save.
Killyleagh certainly came back into the game again but a break from Olympic saw Ryan Molloy fire a volley but it hit the side net just wide.
Both teams were getting opportunities but not finishing strongly. Minutes before the first half whistle, Cassidy made another useful run, then Ward hit to the left corner but again his shot was blocked.
On 42 minutes Sam Carson hit on Target and keeper Walsh just made it to the ball to block. Killyleagh were certainly knocking on the door for a goal. But the first half was peppered wit a lot of corners and throw-ins affecting the flow.
One hiighlight was an appeal that the ball had actually gone over the goal line for a goal. Kodi Carson pressed referee after he maintained the ball had cross the goal line in the Olympic goal. Then in the 62nd minute Olympic’s Niall Flanaghan took an excellent header over the pack in front of goal to put the visitors one up.
There wasn’t much separating the teams and eventually 9 minutes later Sam Carson equalised for Killyleagh striking from the back of the box. Minutes later Carson again volleyed at the left hand post just going inches wide.
But Killyleagh stuck to their task and gradually forced a number of attacks dominating play at the second half wore on.
There were a number of corners in the Olympic half and eventually James Lennon hit a cross to Kodi Carson who nodded down over the Olympic goal line for a decisive goal.
Olympic tried to rally but with 5 minutes left they were on a hiding to nothing against Killyleagh.
It was an evenly balanced match and Killyleagh just managed to turn up the heat when it mattered.
Killyleagh YC: 1 Patrick Douglas (GK) 2 David Johnston 3 Caolan Lennon 4 Ross Murray 5 Jordan Patterson 6 Sam Carson (C) 7 James Healy 8 Conor Hamiliton 9 Nathan Leckey 9 Nathan Leckey 10 Stephen Kennedy 11 Kodi Carson. Subs: 12 Cameron Howard 14 Ryan Blaney 15 Gary Morrison.
Ballynahinch Olympic: 1 Ryan Walsh (GK) 2 Jack Roddy 3 Cian Mornin 4 Niall Flanaghan 5 Jason Noade (C) 6 Ben Cassidy 7 Ryan Molloy 8 Lee Ward 9 Ryan Walsh 10 Naseen Ouldhamlet 11 Caolan Burns. Subs: 14 Tiernan McCullough, 15 Michael Rice 17 Joshua Fennell.
