Strangford FC Secure Place in NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup Final
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup Semi-Final.
Ballyhornan 3G Pitch, Friday 18th November 2022.
Final Score: Strangford FC 4 1 Rossglass County
From the whistle Strangford put the away team Rossglass County under pressure with Jordan Doran almost forcing the ball into the net in the opening minute from a free kick on the right writes Jim Masson.
Strangford were relentless in pushing forward and after a couple of solid attacks it was Conal Fitzsimmons who opened up the scoring for Strangford on 8 minutes when he battled for the ball in the middle of the Rossglass box and turned sending a low volley to inside the right corner of the Rossglass net giving keeper Philip Annett no chance.
Rossglass made several attempts to push back and attack the Strangford goal area but were repelled each time.
Then on 11 minutes the sharp passing and determination of the Strangford team played off when Conal Fitzsimmons scored again at close quarters favouring the inside right corner.
An early 2-goal lead was not good news for Rossglass who were being out-foxed. Ben Lennon did make a great effort to get to the Strangford goal but was finally overcome by Lawson and Fitzsimmons having came back to support their defence.
Rossglass did raise their game for a spell pushing back against a rampant Strangford side, but is was tough going as Strangford certainly looked the hungrier side wanting that place in the final to face Celtic Bhoys.
Rossglass found it difficult to handle the quick attacks of Strangford. Jordan Doran found an avenue through the Rossglass defence and despite stiff tackles from the defenders managed to move into a space to shoot towards goal hitting the middle of the net on 17 minutes.
This was a dream start for Strangford. But Rossglass were not giving up. Cailean Toner made a great solo run through but eventually ran into a brick wall of Strangford defenders.
Jordan Doran was having a good game behind the forward line for Strangford and on one attack had a couple of shots at goal but mis-fired on the last effort. Opportunities were fast and free for Strangford as Rossglass were beginning to sense a lost cause so early in the game.
Surprisingly, Strangford keeper Cathal Kinsella hardly had a touch of the ball and was untested as yet.
Strangford were making quick attacks and were using the pitch well cross the ball from wings, and on 30 minutes Callum Mahoney made an excellent drive just wide of the goal from 40 yards.
Home side Strangford were finding more opportunities in this increasingly one-sided affair. Defender Conal Magee passed up to Fitzsimmons who put through a high ball to winger Callum Shields who just missed the header, but it demonstrated good teamwork by Strangford.
Then another attack by Doran passing to Rory Reilly running in to the Rossglass goal went just wide at 38 minutes, one of several goal opportunities missed by Strangford.
Lawson playing on the right wing certainly played his part in the Strangford assaults. And again they missed another opportunity as Reilly hit a free kick from outside the box over the bar.
As the first half came to an end, the large crowd of spectators enduring the freezing cold conditions were witnessing Strangford dominating play giving Rossglass very opportunities to redress the goal balance.
On the re-start into the second half, Strangford again came out strong and in the first minute a volley from Lennon which just crept over the bar showed they were in it to win it.
And minutes lates Shields crossed to Reilly running into the box whose shot reverbrated off keeper Annett who blocked well for a corner.
Gradually the game became more physical and the flow became more stop-start as players needed attention from the physios.
Fitzsimmons was having a great game and at 57 minutes snaked his way past several defenders and shot at an acute angle but was just a fraction off target.
With 30 minutes left, Rossglass had a mountain to climb if they were to get through to the final but scoring 4 goals against a rampant Strangford side was going to be an uphill if not impossible task.
The final coffin nail for Rossglass came in the 69th minute when Mahoney received the ball in the middle of the Strangford box and placed it promptly in the middle of the net putting the game beyond Rossglass.
Rossglass did keep fighting back and Lennon did have a half chance but the Strangford defenders were onto him quickly.
Then Rossglass won a penalty which was well taken by John Thompson. But with 15 minutes left to play (plus extra time) it was looking like a glum day for Rossglass.
Strangford’s Conal Fitzsimmons was certainly sucking ‘diesel’ until the final whistle giving the opposition no quarter.
Thompson did have a late chance of scoring but as he approached the nets Kinsella came out and closed him down well.
The game ended as it begun, with Strangford attacking strongly with a final flourish from Shields to King to Savage in the Rossglass box, with Shields just missing the final touch.
Overall, Rossglass were outplayed but did show signs of fighting to the last and had moments when the scoreline could have been a lot closer if they had taken some of the few opportunities that presented themselves.
Strangford FC: Cathal Kinsella (GK), Stephan McGrattan (C), Conal Magee, Eoin Watterson, Fion McFall, Rory Reilly, Michael Lawson, Jordan Doran, Conal Fitzsimmons, James Mahoney, Callum Shields. Subs: Eoin King (12)m Shea Dorrian (14), Shea Savage (15), Shane Taggart (16), Owen Curran (17).
Rossglass County: Philip Annett (GK), Conor Denver, Shane Rea, Barry Mageean, Oran Tumelty, Niall Teggart, Eamonn Vaughan, Cailean Toner, Ben Lennon, Marc Burke (C), John Thompson (14). Subs: Thomas Redmond (11), Jordan Carson (12), Adam Smyth (13), Christopher Hamilton (15) Ryan kearney (16).
