Strangford succeeds in local derby against Ballynagross FC in Harry Clarke Cup R2
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Venue: Mountain Quarter, on Saturday 20th January 2024,
Harry Clarke Cup Round 2,
Ballynagross FC 1 3 Strangford FC
Strangford travelled the short distance to Mountain Quarter for this second round Harry Clarke cup-tie against Ballynagross FC and simply took charge of this game from the first whistle and were 2-0 up after 10 minutes writes Cyril McKinney.
Within the opening exchanges the visitors Strangford had great success down the left flank and on 7 minutes Eoin Kelly got on the end of a great cross to the back post and sent a thumping header to the back of the net giving Cathail Arnold no chance from six yards.
It was 2-0 on 10 minutes when again a left wing cross was met this time by Conal Fitzsimons who again beat Arnold from close in.
It could have been three on 15minutes for Strangford but Paul Donnelly shot wide when well placed in front of the Ballynagross goal.
Ballynagross struggled to get a foothold in the game as Strangford continued to press them, and the visitors chased every ball and closed down the opposition in every exchange and limited the Gross strikers to shooting from a distance.
It wasn’t until the 28th minute that Ballynagross had a shot of note from Liam Graham which sailed over the bar and another from Connor Marron on 37minutes which missed the target from distance as well.
Then Ballynagross pulled a goal back on 40 minutes through John Shields who shot from a distance which was misjudged by the keeper and the ball ended up in the net, a clear goalkeeping error.
Ballynagross came out on the front foot in the second half and their veteran striker Declan Dowie missed with a great header at the back post on 46 minutes.
Try as they might Ballynagross could not get any joy out of a resolute Strangford defence throughout the second half and from a great counter attack Strangford front man Conal Fitzsimons broke away and finished with aplomb to put the seal on a great cup win for Strangford.
Strangford deserved this victory and were better in all departments with their talisman, the hard working Fitzsimons up front, who was a constant threat all afternoon.
This was a very competitive cup-tie with all referee decisions being challenged on and off the pitch.
Ballynagross FC: Cathal Arnold GK, Tom Savage, Ryan Tumelty, Christopher Laverty, Conor
Campbell, Connor Marron, Declan McComiskey, Liam Graham, Declan Dowie, Joseph Burns, John Shields. Subs: E Dignam, Corey Davis,Jack Zych for Liam Graham
Strangford FC: Thomas Connery GK, Stefan McGrattan, Conall Magee, Thomas Fitszimons, Fionn
McFall, Paul Donnelly, Rory Reilly, Owen Curran, Ronan Smyth, Conal Fitzsimons, Eoin Kelly. Subs: Eoin Magee for Owen Curran, Shea Savage for Eoin Kelly, Shane Teggart, Michael Shields for Ronan Smyth.
