| |
| Richhill |
0 |
| Killymoon Rangers |
3 |
|
| Sat 27 Sept 2008, Bob Radcliffe Cup |
| |
|
| Killymoon Rangers travelled to Richhill last Saturday, in the Bob Radcliffe Cup, in the unusual position of starting a game with the favourites tag. With Stephen Purvis, Brian Mulligan and James Ferguson unavailable it was a chance for the management to give some of the younger players some vital match time, including Simon Young, who received his first call up to the squad after impressing in the reserve side. |
| |
| Richhill were intent on stopping Killymoon from having any space and played 5 across the midfield and this worked for the first 20 minutes as both sides could only create a number of half chances. I took something special to open the scoring when Gary Crooks picked up the ball in his own half. After having a pass intercepted, Crooks won the ball back and drove into the home sides half before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 30 yards, that gave the Richhill keeper no chance as it flew into the top corner of the net. This settled Killymoon as they started to keep possession and create a number of good chance, mainly from long throw-ins by David McMullan, but no-one was on hand to get the final touch. McMullan nearly scored himself with a powerful header but was denied by a good block from the home keeper. The last 15 minutes of the half saw Richhill have their best period of the match as they started to put some pressure on the visitors defence. After going close with a couple of free kicks they could have went into the interval on level terms, but were let down by some poor finishing when the Killymoon defence were getting pulled out of position. |
| |
| Killymoon were relieved to get to half time to re-group and began the second half by playing with more patience by keeping possession and doubled their lead on the hour mark when Adrian Ferson found himself free in the Richhill penalty area and powered in a header from a Crooks corner. Richhill still had their chances to get back into the match but were unable to capitalise when well placed as Killymoon became disjointed after having to make 2 quick substitutions due to injuries to Willie Watson and Lee Hunter. With 15 minutes remaining Richhill were made to pay for the misses when Killymoon wrapped up the result with their third goal. Warren Smith cut inside the box but his shot was blocked and went to substitute Young, who was tripped as he went past his marked in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on and Crooks capped off a man of the match display by smashing the loose ball into the net via the post. |
| |
| This was an important victory for Killymoon as it was their first competitive win of the season and the managerment continue to be impressed with the performances of the former Cookstown Youth players who are starting to break into the first team squad. Ffollowing this result, the draw against Ballyclare and the friendly victory over Chimney Corner they will be looking to get their first win in the Championship over the next few weeks, starting with a formidable match against Ards this Saturday. The match kicks off at 2.30pm at the Sports Arena. |
| |
| Killymoon |
| |
| Gareth Maguire |
| A Neill |
| G Crooks |
| A Ferson |
| S McElhatton |
| D McMullan |
| L Hunter |
| W Watson |
| W Smith |
| P McElhatton |
| M Bogan |
| |
| Subs |
| 12. S Young |
| 13. G McFarland |
| 14. D. Reid |
|
