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Lisbellaw United 4-2 Dergview Reserves

Box Score

Feb. 19, 2012

The league champions Lisbellaw United had to come from a goal down at the interval to secure three important points in the race for the 2012 Mercer League Title. On a pitch which became more and more difficult to play on Lisbellaw were the hungrier side in the second half and they hit 3 unanswered goals to run out 4-2 winners over a strong Dergview side.

The home side hit the front in fortuitous circumstances after just 3minutes. A short corner between Davy Little and Chris Crilly seen the latter’s cross sail over Lee Forsythe and into the net.

Raymond Carroll had two good chances to increase the lead but a shot trickled wide and a poor header when well placed let Dergview off. The visitors took 20minutes to settle and when they got going their forward movement was causing problems. No. 16 cut in from the left and fired a shot over while the same player was brought down moments later for a penalty.

Steven Doherty won possession from Paul McGrath and sent Mark Lecky away down the wing, as he entered the area Darren Rogers bundled him to the ground and a penalty was awarded. Neil Coulter made no mistake from 12yards to level matters.

It was an even contest for a long time however on the stroke of half time Dergview took the lead. Again Lecky was involved and his through ball found Gareth Sproule who rounded William McFrederick fired to the net.

Jimmy McGrath’s half time teamtalk was short and sweet as he sent his players back out early. An enforced substitute was needed as they lost captain Kyle McCleery to an ankle injury in the final seconds of the half. Niall Cassidy was introduced and his infectious attitude was instrumental in his sides’ second half fightback.

Again the home side was quick out of the blocks and within 3minutes of the restart it was 2-2. A free kick on the left wing was drilled in by Crilly and prodded home at the back post by the inform Ricky Carroll.

Cassidy almost gave Lisbellaw the lead as a glancing header skimmed the crossbar while Chris Crilly should have hit the target after he was found by a neat Carroll pass. With the condition of the pitch deteriorating Dergview were struggling to get a foothold in the game. Lisbellaw continued to win all the battles and 50-50 balls as they went in search of victory.

A third Lisbellaw goal came midway through the half as Alan Veitch chased what looked like a lost cause, however the striker disposed the opposition and crossed for Ricky Carroll to get his second goal of the day as he nipped between goalkeeper and centre back to score.

Within 60seconds Lisbellaw had a 4^th. Again it was a short corner, this time between Matthew Keenan and Crilly which seen Crilly whip the ball over, Paul McGrath flicked it on for Raymond Carroll to head home at the back post.

It could have been more as Cassidy put through Ricky Carroll but a fine save from Forsythe denied the striker his hat-trick. Paul McGrath went close with a long range effort while in a rare foray at the other end Ian Veitch made an important interception to deny Sproule.

The game ended 4-2 to the home side pleased to have taken all three points considering the position they found themselves in at the interval. Next weekend Lisbellaw are away to Enniskillen Santos in one of the 4games in hand they have overEnniskillenTown. The Town are 7points in front in what is now looking like a two horse race for the Mercer League.

TEAMS: Lisbellaw: William McFrederick, Ian Veitch, Darren Rogers, Raymond Carroll, Matthew Keenan, Paul McGrath, Kyle McCleery (C), Chris Crilly, Davy Little, Alan Veitch, Ricky Carroll. Subs: Niall Cassidy, Keith McGowan, Andy Reilly.

Dergview: Lee Forsythe, Glen Sproule, Steven Doherty, Dale Maxwell, David Dickson, Gary Dickson, Ashley Lowry, Neil Coulter, Gareth Sproule, Philip Wallace, Mark Lecky. Subs. Jonathan Cresswell, Dean Arkinson, Dean Forsythe.