Local football round up 7th January 2012
The majority of the local fixture list went ahead as planned despite some nasty weather. This week David Casey writes about our featured game between Villa Rovers and Park View.
Honours even at Frank Curran Park
Parkview played Villa Rovers at Frank Curran park in a league fixture between two teams hovering in mid table. Parkview lead Villa in the table by two points and it promised to be a close, hard fought game. Rovers started strongly and two minutes in Jude Rooney had a chance when one on one with the keeper after breaking through, but was unable to finish. This start gave Villa the impetus to push on and they had two or three chances but were unable to break the deadlock. On the half hour mark, Parkview broke through for the first time when Darren Hillen found his strike partner Robbie Bradshaw who broke through and put the ball in the bottom corner. Parkview were unable to push on from this and Villa continued to dominate, with the sustained pressure paying off when Simon Taylor found Villa target-man Rooney who showed good composure and kept his nerve to level affairs just before half time.
The second half started the same way the first half ended, with Rooney testing the young Parkview keeper from 30 yards who did well to turn it over the bar. Both teams worked hard throughout the game and Villa Rovers danger man Chrissy Taylor was closely marked by the Parkview midfield pairing. Hillen also looked dangerous on a number of occasions but Liam Carville did a good job marking him. The game was somewhat subdued until the last 15 minutes when Villa Rovers manager Gervase Patterson introduced Clonduff man Noel McPolin on the left hand side. McPolin looked dangerous from the off, testing the Parkview keeper with his first touch and blazing narrowly over when through one on one. In the closing stages Parkview had a decision go against them when the referee gave a somewhat controversial offside decision. A young Parkview midfielder broke through towards goal and was called offside when it seemed it was one of his team mates not involved in the move who was actually offside.
Parkview though will be happy to share the spoils given the fact Villa dominated the game. Villa remain behind Parkview in the table, ruing the two points dropped.
Premier Division
Killeavy had a great 2-0 win over fellow title chasers Rockview United while Finn Harps kept alive their title hopes with a 2-0 win over Damolly. Bessbrook Cup finalists Cleary Celtic defeated Ballybot 3-1 in a mid-table clash. Ballybot had the lion share of possession but they found Cleary stand in ‘keeper Chris Murphy in inspired form. On another day the game could have went either way.
First Division
Whitecross remain the First Division leaders with a six goal rout against fellow promotion hopefuls Grasshoppers. The prolific Alan Bann got a hat-trick, Cathal McSherry chipped in with two and Neil McSherry got the other.
Newry Juventus looked to be favourites for the three points against Clanrye Athletic when Stephen Bradley and Kevin Gallagher goals gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Clanrye had other ideas though and came out a reformed team in the second half and rallied with four goals from Marty McAlleavey, Conor Carroll, Mark Finnegan and Paul O’Gorman.
Bohemians rattled six past basement side Cartwheel United. Boh’s goalkeeper Sean O’Hanlon was among the goals from the penalty spot. Conor Murphy(2), Brian McParland, Ciaran Cummins and Martin O’Donnell were the other scorers.
Results
Premier Division
Ballybot United 1 – 3 Cleary Celtic
Damolly United 0 – 2 Finn Harps
Kilkeel Athletic 2 – 1 Killowen Celtic
Rockview United 0 – 2 Killeavey United
First Division
Bohemians 6 – 0 Cartwheel United
Clanrye Athletic 4 – 2 Newry Juventus
Parkview 1 – 1 Villa Rovers
Rostrevor Rovers 3 – 3 Millburn United
Whitecross AFC 6 – 0 Grasshoppers
Mid Ulster Shield – Round 3
Drumcashlone 0-4 Dungannon Rovers
Mid Ulster Shield – Round 4
Banbridge Rangers Reserves 2-1 Midway United
Donaghmore 1-4 Newry City Reserves
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=3148