Ndwcastle and District Amateur Football League
Bobby Dalzell Cup quarter-final.
Ballynahinch Olympic ll 2 1 Newcastle Swifts.
Ballynahinch Olympic seconds blasted their way into the Bobby Dalzell cup semi-final and set up a mouth-watering derby clash with Ballynahinch Young Men after a eye-catching display against Newcastle Swifts at Kilmore playing fields writes Darren Goran.
Last year’s beaten finalists feel they have a score to settle and despite the opening 15 minutes which saw them go 1-0 down and lose their top goalscorer Aaron McCaffrey to a straight red card, they fought back to seal a superb comeback.
Although Olympic started the better of the two teams. it was the Seasiders who took an early lead. A Corey Laverty free-kick from just outside the box was struck well into the back of the net past keeper Ryan Connolly to put Newcastle in front with 10 minutes gone. And 5 minutes later things went from bad to worse for Olympic as McCaffrey seen red. A Rhys Patterson shot towards goal spelled danger and McCaffrey came sliding in but the keeper got to the ball first and with the wet conditions not helping, McCaffrey followed through on the keeper and was rather harshly shown a straight red card.
1-0 down and down to 10 men Olympic had a mountain to climb. But climb it they did. Simon Marmion had a few good efforts from long range which the Newcastle keeper struggled to deal with, Josh Fennell came close on two separate occasions and following some good work by Jack Roddy down the left hand side Patterson had the chance to level the scores but the keeper pulled off a top class save.
With half an hour gone, a relentless Olympic finally equalised and it was the outstanding Patterson who got it. Olympic won a free-kick down the right hand side and Daryl Russell played the ball into Patterson who showed good strength to get away from the defender and hook the ball into the corner of the net to put Olympic back on terms.
A mature finish from the teenager which gave Olympic the belief to push on to try and get a second. Fennell struck the crossbar from 25 yards out, Marmion came close from a free-kick and Shane Rodgers’ persistence put him through on goal but the keeper kept the midfielder out. Olympic were playing some excellent football in wet and windy conditions but there was time for one Newcastle chance before the half=time whistle sounded.
The midfielder struck a shot from distance which Connolly saved well but the ball fell straight into the path of the striker who looked set to nai the ball to teh back of the Olympic net but for an amazing double reaction save by Connolly kept his side into the break on level terms.
The second half was all Olympic as the Ballynahinch men went up a gear. Keeper Connolly and the back three of Russell, Mick Rice and skipper Niall McGlew, shielded by Marmion, never put a foot wrong all game and this was the foundation for a solid looking Olympic to keep pushing forward.
Gary Wilson had a good strike go over the crossbar, as did Roddy and then with half an hour left to play Olympic got their second. Wilson picked the ball up on the left wing and played a smart pass to Patterson. Patterson waited before slipping the ball through to Marmion who had made the perfect run and struck a left footed shot into the net from a tight angle to put the 10 men of Olympic in front.
At 2-1 Olympic were in control and, despite Connolly having to make another good reaction save to deny Phillip Bonny, the home side never looked in danger of conceding another goal.
Olympic had one last chance to extend their lead when the tenacious Rodgers won the ball deep in his own half. Rodgers released substitute Dee Travers and he found Patterson who was clean through on goal but opted to take the shot on early and the keeper saved down to his right hand side to keep the striker out. Olympic kept possession for the final 10 minutes and ran out 2-1 winners.
An excellent all round battling team performance by Olympic who find themselves in the semi-final for the second year on the bounce.
Man of the match: Rhys Patterson.
Ballynahinch Olympic first lost 3-2 against Albert Foundry at Paisley Park, Belfast in the Premier Division of the Northern Amateur Football League.
The thirds team enjoyed a great 3-2 win in Division 2 of the Newcastle and District Football League against league leaders Celtic Boys Academy.
