Strangford bounce back to beat visitors Castlewellan Forest
The Newcastle And District Amateur Football League
League Match, Division 1,
Venue: The Links, Strangford – 26th October 2024.
Strangford 5 1 Castlewellan Forest
Strangford had to come from behind to win this game and although the scoreline suggests an easy home victory, the reality was that but at half-time it was honours even and all to play for writes Cyril McKinney.
Right from the first whistle both sides started on the offensive and it was the visitors who took the lead on 21 minutes when Ryan Morgan pounced on a loose ball in the Strangford box and lashed it home past a helpless Kinsella in the home nets.
(Photos by Cyril McKinney).
As the half developed so did Strangford’s influence spurred on by Evans in midfield and with the lively Fitszimons, Harney and Kelly in attack.
The Castlewellan defence led by Connolly, McCann and Burns seemed to deal with the threat initially but were undone on 41 minutes when Strangford foward Eoin Kelly got on the end of a long clearance from defence and with defenders slightly hesitating Kelly nipped in and headed the ball over the advancing Castlewellan keeper to square things up at half-time 1-1.
Within a minute of the restart Strangford went ahead with a smart finish from Jack Fitzsimons and from then on seemed to take charge of the game.
Although Castlewellan battled hard and did pose problems for Strangford especially on the left flank, they never really created any clearcut chances, whereas Strangford with Fitzsimons created opportunities by driving forward every chance he got.
Fitzsimmons then set up Eoin Kelly for his second goal on 79 minutes who then completed his hat-trick on 85 minutes to make it 4-1 before substitute made it 5-1 with the last kick of the game 3 minutes into extra time.
Strangford FC: Cathal Kinsella, Stefan McGrattan, Michael Shields, Eoin Watterson, Thomas Fitzsimons, Ciaran Evans, Paul Donnelly, Aodhan Harney, Owen Curran, Eoin Kelly, Jack Fitzsimons. Subs: David Shields for Stefan McGrattan, Michael O’Connor for Ciaran Evans
Castlewellan Forest: Brian McVeigh, Caolum Brannigan, Ryan Morgan, Conall Burns, Shane McCann, Stephen Connolly, Joseph O’Neill, Danny McKay, Scott Kinley, Caolan Burns, Matthew Carvill. Subs: Sean Fitzsimmons for Caolum Brannigan, Declan Gregory for Stephen Connolly, Ciarnan Stratton for Joseph O’Neill.
