Mayobridge hold nerve to snatch points | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Mayobridge hold nerve to snatch points

DOWN ACFL DIVISION ONE – MATCHDAY THREE
ROSTREVOR 1-09 – 0-14 MAYOBRIDGE

By Kieran McNally

Mayobridge survived goal chances and a second-half dismissal to grind out a two-point victory at a frustrated Rostrevor on Friday night.

The early development of Stefan White’s Reds seems to be showing signs of promise despite the side’s winless start to this campaign and; whilst the visiting ‘Bridge left with the points, one can only imagine that replicating displays such as this will grant Rostrevor much belief in their battle to avoid the gaping relegation zone.

Rostrevor's John Fegan v Mayobridge

Rostrevor’s John Fegan v Mayobridge

However, it would be advisable to start gathering points in the pivotal second part of the weekend’s double-header at another one of those sides struggling for early points, Liatroim Fontenoys.

For Mayobridge, this was an important win, as it was their first of the season but also the manner of it will grant a degree of relief among other things.

The impact of Conleth O’Hare at centre-forward for Mayobridge may have been the vital input for the win, as the prolific forward was at the hub of the majority of their attacking play; with the addition of Kevin O’Rourke in the front line providing a further platform.

It was Mayobridge that started well on the night with O’Rourke sending over two frees in the opening five minutes. Caolan Gallagher extended the lead from the left side before Shaun Parr opened the Rostrevor account in the 9th minute.

Conor Doyle’s left-footed free narrowed the gap to a single point, but Mayobridge were more efficient in the opening twenty minutes and forged back into the three-point advantage again; Conleth O’Hare and Corey Quinn on target.

The first half followed the pattern of both sides having five minutes on top before finding themselves under the cosh and Rostrevor responded to Mayobridge’s period with another two points to bring the game back to the minimum margin by the 21st minute.

Conor Fegan worked a quick free well with Caolan Mooney before firing over and Tomás Mulholland angled over a superb point from the right side to leave the scores at 0-5 to 0-4 in favour of the visitors.

It was then; naturally, the Bridge’s turn to reply and it was that double act of O’Hare and O’Rourke that found the scores to restore the earlier lead.

The closeness of the first half was slightly skewed by the fact that Mayobridge had enjoyed the initial period of dominance with three points, however, the teams would enter the break on level terms with Conor Magee firing in a superbly taken goal on the cusp of first half stoppage time.

Caolan Mooney’s low crossed pass was helped on to Magee by the very hard-working Conor Fegan, and the Rostrevor midfielder tucked the ball past CJ Barr and into the top right corner.

The Reds nearly had a quick second goal, but were unfortunate as Tomás Mulholland’s poked effort drifted wide in the dying moments of the half.

HALF TIME: ROSTREVOR 1-04 – 0-07 MAYOBRIDGE

The final endeavours of the opening period were indicative of the frustration that Rostrevor would feel at the end of the game, as they would spurn chances to put Mayobridge definitively on the back foot.

Conleth O’Hare and Conor Doyle; excellently, traded scores in the early moments of the second half before the game changed in a matter of minutes.

Firstly, Tomás Mulholland; who had an effort saved from Barr seconds earlier, received a black card from referee Ferghal Laverty for a trip on Conor Garvey before Mayobridge lost Conor Fitzpatrick to a second yellow card, granting Rostrevor with a numerical advantage for the final twenty-five minutes.

Conor Fegan placed Rostrevor into the lead for the first time on 38 minutes, but despite a wealth of possession, they were caught on the break and punished with three quick scores by O’Rourke; twice, and Quinn to ensure a two-point Mayobridge lead entering the final quarter; 0-11 to 1-6.

Rostrevor’s response did arrive though, and they were able to level the contest by the 50th minute with John Fegan and Conor Fegan both sending over points, but Mayobridge’s efficiency in the final third was the key element in keeping them ahead despite having fewer men.

Again, it was a quick brace of scores defying the Reds’ general control in the middle third of the pitch with Conleth O’Hare and Adrian Barry landing the scores to push the Bridge in front by two, once more.

The final stages belonged to Rostrevor and if only some added composure at the right moment, they certainly would have won this match. Richard Reynolds received possession in the 53rd minute and closed in on goal; opting to fist over to decrease the margin back to one point.

Perhaps in hindsight; given the wonderful thing it is, he may have gone low against the exposed CJ Barr, or flicked it across to Conor Doyle on the edge of the square. It was a big chance for Rostrevor, but they were a point better off for it.

Mayobridge though, were now intent on taking their time over every small stoppage in play and using their seasoned experience in some areas to retain possession.

It did have its desired effect and the Bridge deserve their due credit for closing out the game under pressure. However, there must be a greater allowance for time added on in these instances because there appears to be no consideration given to the period in which the ball is not in play this season; and Rostrevor can feel slightly aggrieved.

Having said that, they did have their chances and one; in particular, that really got away. Caolan Mooney was instrumental in sparking a surge upfield with Brian Keenan filtering the ball through to Piaras Kane, as the Reds found themselves close to goal with men over.

However, the chance went begging and Kevin O’Rourke’s late free ensured a two-point win for Mayobridge.

Promising for Rostrevor in terms of performance, but that needs to be rewarded with tangible points on the board with Liatroim being a massive game at this early stage. Mayobridge hope to build on this hard earned win when Bryansford visit.

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Posted by on May 11 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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