Clarke calls it for ‘Ford at the finish | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Clarke calls it for ‘Ford at the finish

DOWN ACFL DIVISION ONE – MATCHDAY THIRTEEN
BRYANSFORD 1-10 – 0-12 ROSTREVOR

By Kieran McNally

stbronaghs1Chris Clarke was the late match-winner, as Bryansford dramatically escaped with two league points after a stirring display from Rostrevor at St. Patrick’s Park on Friday night.

The ‘Ford were put under immense pressure by relegation threatened Reds and whilst Rostrevor did produce a good performance, they were left to ponder the effects of another defeat placing them in the unenviable position of needing two wins from their last two games and results elsewhere to fall into place.

In truth, it was a game that Rostrevor didn’t deserve to lose such was their contribution to the contest and they will look back at a match-defining goal from Philip Bonny midway through the first half, as a key moment.

Both teams hit early wides with John Fegan, Danny Savage and Chris Brannigan among those to see attempts drift past the post before Peter Brannigan opened the scoring in the 7th minute.

The sides traded scores in the opening quarter with the excellent Conall Gordon providing Rostrevor’s first point after Shaun Parr’s pass, before Chris Clarke and Niall Farrell exchanged points to leave the scores level by the 16th minute; 0-2 to 0-2.

The game would follow an end-to-end pattern for its duration, so it transpired that the game’s only goal would have a large bearing on the outcome and it arrived with Philip Bonny finishing to the corner after a swift move upfield from Bryansford moments after Farrell’s point.

Rostrevor were unlucky to lose Conor and Christopher Magee in the opening half also, but they continued to contest with Damian Magee finding his range to narrow the gap.

Philip Bonny restored the advantage on the run before a free from David McKibbin brought the lead to four points. However, the Reds finished the half stronger with Shaun Parr breaking through a number of challenges to send over the bar before Conor Fegan’s free ensured a two-point deficit at half time.

HALF TIME: BRYANSFORD 1-04 – 0-05 ROSTREVOR

Chris Clarke extended the ‘Ford’s lead within a minute of the restart with Jonathan Parr being forced into a point-blank save moments later, as Rostrevor came under some early second-half pressure.

Having withstood that early barrage, the Reds settled back to their task with Damian Magee on target before Shaun Parr pointed from a rebound after he raced clear on goal following a misplaced ball from net minder Mark Reid.

Conor Maginn fisted between the posts, but Rostrevor would link together another brace of points to level the scores by the 48th minute; Jonathan Parr and Conor Fegan both firing over from placed balls.

Bryansford were always quick to find the spare man on their kickout and their swift transition from defence to attack granted them a huge chance with Danny Savage’s pace giving him a one-on-one chance with Parr. However, Parr stood up well to deny Savage the luxury of space to aim at and his effort crashed off the upright and out.

Rostrevor countered and the ball was sent over the bar at the other end with Jordan Fegan placing the visitors ahead for the first time; 1-6 to 0-10. Savage equalised from a free on 54 minutes, but Rostrevor regained the lead moments later through Conor Doyle.

Another point from Danny Savage brought the Ford back onto level terms with four minutes remaining. The Reds continued to take the game to the Newcastle side though, and Conall Gordon did well under pressure to push Rostrevor back in front in the 58th minute.

Chris Clarke levelled entering stoppage time in what was an agonising finish for Rostrevor, as Jonathan Parr saw a 45’ drift wide before Clarke fired over Bryansford’s winning point.

The Reds were given one last chance to salvage a draw with a last-ditch free from range, but in similar circumstances Parr was unlucky to see the ball drift to the right of the posts on the final whistle.

It’s on such fine moments that league points are won and lost and Rostrevor will look back on a number of games this season where points have evaded the side.

If anything, it grants optimism in approaching the championship games, but league salvation now hinges on victory against Castlewellan and Longstone; coupled with some assistance elsewhere.

BRYANSFORD SCORERS; Philip Bonny (1-1), Chris Clarke (0-4), Danny Savage (0-2 1f), Conor Maginn, David McKibbin and Peter Brannigan (0-1 each).

ROSTREVOR SCORERS; Conall Gordon (0-2), Damian Magee (0-2), Shaun Parr (0-2), Conor Fegan (0-2 2f), Conor Doyle, Jonathan Parr, Jordan Fegan and Niall Farrell (0-1 each).

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Posted by on Aug 24 2015. Filed under Community, Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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