Reds suffer Minor setback

DOWN MINOR ACFL DIVISION ONE – MATCHDAY SEVEN
ROSTREVOR MINORS 0-16 – 2-10 CARRYDUFF

By Kieran McNally

Aaron Fearon needed to slot a late equaliser for Rostrevor, as Carryduff’s brave fightback nearly snatched an unlikely victory for the visitors to Pettit Park.

Goals from Peter Loughran and Nick Turkington turned a largely comfortable night into quite a nervy one for the Reds with a battery of missed chances allowing the North Down side to remain in the game for long enough to punish in the closing stages.

The Reds do remain on track for the top four playoffs, as Carryduff; back at full strength at this stage, will rue a slow start to the campaign with their road to the semis being blocked by a number of poor early season results.

Initially, it seemed like being one of those nights where Rostrevor would ease to a home win, as the first half performance was akin to a procession. Blain McGrath eventually put them in front in the 6th minute before doubling the advantage with Chris Killen adding to the lead by the 10th minute.

Peter Loughran and Nick Turkington responded with points for the visitors, but the opening half belonged to a superior; but extremely wasteful, Rostrevor.

Peter Magee and Chris Killen stretched the lead out to three points again, before Joseph Morgan pointed after a neat build-up with James Donaghy. More chances were going astray though and; despite the cruise control on offer from the Reds, they certainly weren’t flattering themselves.

Conor Owens sent over his first of the evening with Peter Magee’s relaxed effort putting the Reds into a six-point lead; 0-8 to 0-2, on 25 minutes. Blain McGrath’s fist and an effort from the right side from Conor Owens ensured an eight-point interval advantage.

However, the Reds were still in second gear after the weekend’s clash in Newry and they found it difficult to lift themselves out of their stroll when Carryduff gathered momentum in the second half.

HALF TIME – ROSTREVOR MINORS 0-10 – 0-02 CARRYDUFF

The Knockbracken men had Peter Loughran and Nick Turkington to largely thank for their ability to remain in touch until the pulsating final quarter and the two chief tormentors were both on target, as Carryduff started to revive themselves.

Conall Gordon worked well with Conor Owens to provide a point for the latter to settle Rostrevor once more into their task. Rory Oakes struck over an instant reply before seeing his point cancelled out by Joseph Morgan at the other end, as the Reds kept their visitors at bay.

However, Rostrevor’s lack of a clinical edge on the night was soon to be punished and the ever-impressive Nick Turkington sent over three points in quick succession; two from the placed ball, to narrow the gap to four points entering the final quarter; 0-12 to 0-8.

Still Rostrevor remained pedestrian in their play with their control of the contest still being visibly evident however; and it happens so often in games at all levels, one moment can change it all.

Peter Loughran provided that moment in the 46th minute as he held off the Reds’ defence to bury a direct shot past Aidan Magee and bring the deficit down to the minimum.

Joseph Morgan and Nick Turkington traded frees before a brace of points from Peter Magee and Blain McGrath appeared to have reset the mode for Rostrevor; 0-15 to 1-9, entering the final ten minutes.

Quite the opposite transpired as, Eoin McCabe closed the deficit in the 53rd minute from close range before right on cue; Nick Turkington was on hand to drive through the centre and place home an excellent goal for a Carryduff that now had a remarkable lead.

Aaron Fearon sent over a pressured leveller with two minutes remaining and while both teams did build late attacks; neither really troubled the posts, as an absorbing second half saw the two sides level.

Rostrevor will look to rebuild again with their visit to Bryansford on Sunday afternoon being an important one for their league aspirations with Carryduff hoping to continue along an upward curve approaching the championship when An Riocht travel to the outskirts of Belfast.

ROSTREVOR TEAM; Aidan Magee, Michael McNally, James Rice, Cormac McGrath, Mark Doyle, James Donaghy, Conall Gordon, Blain McGrath (0-4 1f), Joseph Morgan (0-3 1f), Ryan Caulfield, Peter Magee (0-3), Conor Owens (0-3), Fearghal Murphy, Aaron Fearon (0-1) and Chris Killen (0-2). Subs used; Tomas Gordon and Lee Heaney.

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jun 30 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