Woodvale FC were no match for Kilmore Rec in the NAFL Clarence Maynes Cup Round One clash
The NAFL,
Clarence Maynes Cup Round One,
Venue: Robert Adams Park, Crossgar: Saturday 7th December 2024,
Final Score: Kilmore Rec 4 0 Woodvale FC.
Weather conditions were atrocious as Storm Darragh was reeking havoc across the country and it was a surpise that the match was not cancelled. Most of the NAFL games were pulled due to the bad weather but the Robert Adams 3G pitch was playable and sheltered to some extent writes Jim Masson.
Kilmore got off to an attacking start when Rhys Clarke made a storming run down the right and the Kilmore front line were smelling blood from the whistle.
But Woodvale broke back and won a corner which was the first touch for Kilmore keeper Christopher Turley who was to have a quiet game as most of the action was in the Woodvale half.
On 5 minutes, Yaroslav Panfilov volleyed in low from the back of the Woodvale box putting the home side a goal up giving keeper Thomas Winstone no chance.
Kilmore definitely stepped up a gear and a cross from Chris Magee saw both Eoin McGrattan and Michael Carvill both get efforts at the goal close in but keeper Winstone somehow managed to keep the ball out of his net.
ACTION PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH By Jim Masson/DownNews©)
Then on 11 minutes, Jack Larkin sailed over the defenders on a corner and nodded the ball crisply into the right hand corner of the Woodvale net.
Woodvale were trying to rally their troops but the Kilmore back line was resolute not entertaining any attacks at their goal.
At that point a shower of heavy rain came over making life difficult for the players, and the ball was slippery for the keepers in the powerful wind.
But as Kilmore kept surging forward, on the 13th minute, Eoin McGrattan volleyed in from the back of the Woodvale box widening the gap to three goals.
Kilmore pressure was constant and Woodvale only managed a few attacks into the Kilmore half and keeper Turley was having a very quiet time.
As the match wore on, in one attack McGrattan took a low volley from just outside the Woodvale box and almost scored but keeper Winstone managed to block it.
ACTION PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH By Jim Masson/DownNews©)
As the match progressed towards half-time, Woodvale were not making much impression. Being 3 goals down was a huge mountain to climb for the away side.
On the 41st minute, Jack Larkin came off as he was suffering from a knee injury, and Sean Bell replaced him on the right of the pitch.
When the second half started, the wind was blowing hard across the pitch from left to right as Kilmore played towards their clubhouse. Kilmore went straight into attack mode.
In one push forward, Shay McGrattan launched a fierce low shot on target but keeper Winstone got it under control in the difficult conditions. Kilmore were determined to wear down Woodvale.
The pressure paid off and in the 53rd minute Kilmore’s Connor McCarron hammered the ball in past keeper Winstone from a John Mahoney cross.
With a 4-goal cushion Kilmore were in the driving seat. The game did get a bit more physical as Woodvale tried to get on the score sheet. Christopher Magee picked one up for Kilmore and Thomas Dickson and Curtis Johnston were yellow carded for Woodvale.
Kilmore’s Joseph Burns made an excellent run through the Woodvale back line and as he shot at goal the referee blew for offside.
On the 79th minute, Shay McGrattan hit a great volley low on target but keeper Winstone just managed to deflect it out for a corner.
And a minute later sub Caolan Conlin hit a powerful shot but it rose over the bar wind-assisted.
Kilmore keeper Christopher Turley had had a quiet game but was tested towards the end on a couple of occasions as Woodvale attacked. The first was when he went out of position to outsid his box and rushed back to the open goal just in time to make a spectacular timely save.
And then minutes later Turley was forced to make a tremendous reflex finger-tip save denying the efforts of Woodvale forward Billy Joe McQuiston.
In the dying embers of the match, Woodvale pressed but Kilmore kept them well at bay.
Overall, the match was one sided. Kilmore Rec are top of Division 1A side whereas Woodvale FC are second top of Division 1C. But having said that, Woodvale did put up a strong fight against the home side and never gave up the whole match almost scoring towards the end.
ACTION PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH By Jim Masson/DownNews©)
Kilmore Rec: 1 Christoper Turley (GK) 2 Christopher Magee 3 John Mahoney 4 Jack Larkin (C) 5 Yoroslav Panfilov 6 Joseph Burns 7 Rhys Clarke 8 Eoin McGrattan 9 Connor McCarron 10 Michael Carvill 11 Shay McGrattan. Subs: 12 Sean Bell 14 Caolan Conlon 15 Declan McComiskey.
Woodvale FC: 1 Thomas Winstone (GK) 2 Graham Ashton (C) 3 Samuel Parkinson 5 Aaron McFarland 6 Thomas Dickson 7 Jonathan McKee 8 Luke McCausland 9 Biklly Joe McQuiston 10 Robert Black 11 Blake Watters 15 Curtis Johnston. Subs: 4 Ryan Bingham 14 Curtis Black 16 Paul Hughes.
