A sound win for Kilmore Rec against formidable opponents The Heights in the Intermediate Cup qualifier
McComb’s Coach Travel Intermediate Cup Qualifier,
Venue: Robert Adams PArk, Crossgar, on 15 11 2025,
Final Score: Kilmore Rec 4 2 The Heights.
Kilmore Rec got off to a cautious start against The Heights from Ballymena but gradually took control of the game, particularly the second half, with good attacking football writes Jim Masson.
Initially Kilmore sat back making sure they did not give away any silly early goals and gradually pressed forward. The Heights who are lying mid-table in the Ballymena and Provincial Football League, and the Rec are trailing second bottom in the NAFL Premier League. So on paper it looked a fairly even duel.
Kilmore were making good use of their wings, playing well on the left. Early on Yaroslav Panfilov crossed up to winger Rhys Clarke who slipped the ball to Fionn Mulhern who wanted his name on the score card but his effort was blocked at the last second.
The Heights looked sharp and dangerous especially in the first half and Ryan Cambell unleashed a solid volley on target but Rec keeper Chris Turley saved it well.
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In one attack Kilmore had three volleys at the goal in quick succession, the last going over the top bar.
In the early section of the first half The Heights were relentless and were focussed and passing well.
But the first goal came on 20 minutes when Mulhern received a long pass upfield and he surged into the box and chipped the ball pver keeper Jack Rodden and tapped it into the net to put Kilmore in the lead.
Kilmore kept up the pressure on The Heights despite the visitors getting a few breaks upfield. A good combination play by Mulhern, Smyth and Mahoney almost paid off with a goal.
Then it was Player of the Match Mulhern again who made the second goal from a cross to Joe Healy in front of goal who nailed the ball into the Heights’ net on 33 minutes.
But just before the whistle, the Heights clawed a goal back keeping their hopes alive when Caleb Wan struck at the back post.
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Kilmore keeper Chris Turley was have a good game handling the ball well.
And defender Connor Curran also played well up the left wing making occasional volleys at the Heights goal and shooting but just going slightly off target.
The second half started like the first with The Heights trying to boss Kilmore Rec. But after 10 minutes of beating off attacks, Kilmore came to life.
Right back Oisin Mulholland also made his contribution to the overall win by sending in some lovely crosses from the wing.
The match ebbed to and fro with neither side looking the most dominant, then Kilmore seemed to up a gear asserting themselves. Then Mulhern was taken down by Callum Biggart in the box and the penalty went to Joe Healy who hit it in to the left hand corner low outwith Rodden’s reach.
Then it was Mahoney’s turn next to get on the score card when received the ball about 30 yards out and ran forward tracked by two defenders, He got into the box found space and slotted the ball in past keeper Rodden.
Kilmore were bearing up well against The Heights who seemed to get frustrated at the referee’s decisions.
The Heights pulled a goal back to make the score 4-2, but they were somewhat lacking in strike power upfront and the match concluded with a sound win for Kilmore.
Supporters’ Kilmore Player of the Match was Fionn Mulhern and was congratulated by committee member Barry Ward.
Kilmore Rec:1 Chris Turley (GK) 2 Oisin Mulhoilland 3 Connor Curran 4 Joe Healy 5 Yaroslav Panfilov (C) 6 Cai Gemmel 7 James Mahoney 8 Caolan Conlon 9 Fionn Mulhern 10 Harry Smyth 11 Rhys Clarke. Subs: 12 Niall Walsh 14 John Mahoney 15 Tiernan Fitzsimmons 16 John Patterson 17 Shay McGrattan.
The Heights: 1 Jack Rodden (GK) 3 Taylor McBride 4 Callum Biggart 5 John Watt (C) 6 Matthew McNeill 8 Jake Francis 9 Ryan Doherty 10 Mark Edgar 11 Ryan Campbell 15 Zac Dealey18 Caleb Wan. Subs: 2 Lee Foregrave 7 Jack Elliott 14 Ryan Canning 16 Kori Doherty 17 Eoin Crawford 19 Joel Bradley.
