Less than a month after losing by the odd goal in seven in atrocious conditions in Castlederg, Killymoon Rangers welcomed Dergview to the Sports Arena for the corresponding fixture. This was Killymoon’s final home game of the season and with the sun shining the game was played in completely contrasting weather conditions as the Cookstown side looked give their supporters their first home league win of the season to celebrate. With David McMullan out injured for the rest of the season, Killymoon gave Simon Young his first start in the first team, with James Ferguson dropping into left back and Johnny Young returning at the left hand side of midfield.
The first half saw few clear cut chances with both defences on top. Dergview were growing frustrated by the assistant referee who flagged them off side on numerous occasions, but the one time they did break the Killymoon off side trap Steven McElhatton quickly got back to cut out the ball across the 6 yard area. Killymoon’s best move of the first half saw Warren Smith flick the ball to Lee Hunter who in turn released J Ferguson with a first time pass and Ferguson’s first time shot went narrowly wide. Killymoon were playing with plenty of confidence with Hunter and Smith causing the Dergview back line plenty of problems, without really testing their keeper. The visitors were also finding it difficult to create any worthwhile chances as the home side were working hard protecting Gareth Maguire’s goal. It was the turn of Patrick McElhatton to put his head on the line this week and show his defensive qualities leaving him with a bloody nose in the process.
After a goalless first half he second half was a lot more open with Killymoon taking the upper hand in the early stages and J Young should have opened the scoring early on but after a move involving Smith and Willie Watson, his shot was well saved by the Dergview keeper. J Ferguson had the ball in the net on the hour mark but he was in an off side position when he applied the finishing touch. The game began to flow from end to end and the visitors nearly broke the deadlock twice inside a couple of minutes. The first saw a shot strike the post and fortunately for Killymoon the rebound went straight into the grateful hands of Maguire. Dergview then broke the off side trap but struck a harmless shot wide when they had space and time to compose themselves before shooting. The Killymoon defence settled after this scare with Conall Kilpatrick missing nothing in the air and was ably assisted by S McElhatton, S Young and J Ferguson. J Young then smashed the ball off the Dergview crossbar from 25 yards with 15 minutes remaining after cutting in from the right touch line. Richard Donaghy replaced Watson as the home side looked to break the deadlock and the striker nearly had a goal scoring chance within a couple of minutes of coming on, but he couldn't get the ball out of his feet quick enough to get a shot away. With only 3 minutes left in the match Killymoon eventually broke Dergview’s resistance. Donaghy put the visiting centre half under pressure and it resulted in the ball breaking to Smith at the edge of the area who struck the ball first time with the outside of his right foot and although the ball rebounded out of the net it had struck the stanchion inside the top corner of the goal and the assistant referee quickly indicated that the ball had crossed the line. Adrian Ferson was brought on for the closing few minutes as the home side comfortably held out for the win.
This was an excellent all round team performance by Killymoon and considering all the disappointments the team has experienced this season it was the perfect way to finish off the season at the Sports Arena. Lee Hunter was awarded the keenly contested man of the match award and Simon Young made an assured debut adding more youth to an already young squad.
The Killymoon players and officials would like to thank all the supporters who regularly turned up and stuck with them throughout the season.
The match was kindly sponsored by Sinley Chinese Takeaway and the match ball provided by Union Stores.
Killymoon
Gareth Maguire
S Young
Steven McElhatton
Conal Kilpatrick
Peter McElhatton
J Ferguson
K Ferguson
Lee Hunter
Willie Watson
Warren Smith
J Young
Subs
12. R Donaghy for W Watson
13. A Ferson for J Young
14. D. Hudson
15. A. Neill
16. G. McElhatton
Killymoon Rangers Man of the Match; Lee Hunter with Jacky
Carson.
