Kilmore entertained East Belfast in this league encounter just days after losing out to their visitors in the Steel and Sons early rounds with a 2-1 score. After making a number of changes to the starting line-up, Kilmore were keen to get back to winning ways but were faced with a top flight team on good form.
This encounter ended up a hard-fought draw with both defences coming out on top. East Belfast enjoyed a bright opening to the game in the first 10 minutes and produced a couple of left wing crosses into the box but these were easily cutout by the the hard working Kilmore defence.
It took East Belfast 12 minutes to find their first shot on target but it was well saved by Kilmore keeper Christopher Turley who was dominant in his box all evening. Kilmore grew into the game as the half developed and on 20 minutes BJ McMenamin forced the visiting keeper Andy Wallace to turn a goal bound effort round the post. From the resulting corner Conall Young volleyed over the bar from outside the box.
Kilmore at this stage looked the more likely to score as the midfield started to dominate possession, and with some good interplay on the right side of attack Kilmore forward Mark McMahon headed wide on the half hour and 5 minutes later shot over the bar. The referee was busy as strong tackles were made from both sides with committed players and as the half drew to a close the East Belfast forward Mick Doran shot wide just missing the Kilkore posts. Kilmore’s Conall Young was booked and from the resulting free East Belfast pressed forward and won two corners in quick succession both easily dealt with by Kilmore’s stubborn defence.
Into the second half and once again East Belfast started brightly but Kilmore warmed to the task and got to grips in midfield and began pressing forward using their wingmen BJ McMenamin on the left and Ryan Slavin on the right.
The East Belfast defence were up to the task with very little getting through to cause a threat to the Kilmore goal. East Belfast’s Mick Doran was booked for a hefty tackle on McGrattan on the hour mark as Kilmore continued to look for the opening.
Kilmore made a change with Thomas Macklin replacing Ryan Slavin and he was quickly in the thick of the action, and at this stage Kilmore were dominating without creating any clearcut chances. When East Belfast did get forward the Kilmore defence never really looked threatened with McCarthy and Stewart solid and moving the ball quickly out of defence to get on the attack again.
As the light started to fade, a draw looked the most likely result. A late flurry saw BJ McMenamin cutting in from the left wing and in quick succession three times crossed in to the goal area but was unable to find a Kilmore player to put the finishing touches to some good approach play.
Neither team created a clearcut goal clincher chance all evening although Kilmore enjoyed much more of the possession but could not capitalise of some excellent attacking play.
Kilmore Rec: Christopher Turley, Pearse McCarthy, Matthew Stewart, Jack Larkin (c), Declan Allister, Laurence McGonagle, Anton McGrattan, Conall Young, Mark McMahon, Brendan McMenamin, Ryan Slavin, Subs: Thomas Macklin, Peter Casey, Christopher Magee.
East Belfast: Andy Wallace, Andy Williamson, Brian Hylands, Dean Strain, Neil Moore, Matty Neil, Glen Stephenson, Thomas Dixon, Adam Donnan, Mick Doran, Gary Smart. Subs: 14. Thomas Canavan, 15 Michael Heron, 12. Josh Barnes.
