DC have given themselves ever opportunity to progress to the knock out stages of the League Cup after this hard fought victory over Churchill Utd. The score line might suggest a tight competitive game, but in reality this Pharmacy supplies League Cup encounter was one DC could have won at their ease.
They controlled the game for large periods through their hard work and passages of good passing play, and when they did find themselves under pressure particularly at the start of the second half, their defence proved resolute with Churchill scoring their consolation goal only in the 99th minute. A draw for Churchill would have left the home side through to the semi final of the competition but this fine win for Draperstown means that next week’s games in the group will decide who will go through to the knock out stages.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Celtic began in positive manner and in the third minute Eamon Murray was unlucky to see his shot smashing off the cross bar with McGarrigle well beaten. Ryan Brown did well after 10 minutes to block McGill’s shot in what was to be one of Churchill’s few forays in to the Celtic half in the opening period. Celtic came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute when Murray’s first time volley was pulled wide at the far post and two minutes later Brown rose highest at a corner but headed over from close range. The slick passing of Draperstown was causing Churchill quite a few problems and they were rewarded for their positive play though in a rather fortunate manner, when Kevin Ward’s shot took a wicked deflection past the stranded McGarrigle to put Celtic into a deserved lead.
Celtic’s midfield was well on top while McDevitt and Brown in the centre of the defence dominated the exchanges whenever Churchill attempted to build on their scant possession. Half time saw Celtic a goal to the good but perhaps thinking that their overall play deserved a greater reward.
The second half saw the home side attempt to use the strong wind to their advantage. Kevin Leonard did well to save a well struck Devine free kick but Churchill were rocked when the referee red carded their hard working midfielder Doherty for an off the ball incident. This appeared to spur Churchill on and for a period of twenty minutes they enjoyed good possession but attempts at the Celtic goal were all long range especially from free kicks by Devine, one of which Leonard did well to tip onto the cross bar and away for a corner. It was clear that Celtic had allowed Churchill back into the game, which earlier they had dominated, by not passing the ball as well as they had previously done. However they soon got their game plan back on track and on the hour mark, a flowing move involving Higgins and Murray saw Chris McGarrigle hit a rising shot off the cross bar with the home defence well stretched. Four minutes later and the same player had another good chance to extend Celtic’s lead but saw his header fumbled onto the bar and away by a relieved keeper
The last fifteen minutes again saw Celtic dominate the game with Murray and Burns both coming close but the win was finally sealed when McGuigan’s determination won the ball and sent Murray clear. He in turn passed to Bradley whose quick pass to John Higgins left him 20 yards out but his great chip over the advancing keeper was a great example of the confidence the player exhibited all game.
The referee saw fit to play ten minutes of injury time and it was only in the last of these that the home side, after a goal mouth scramble were able to score a purely consolation goal.
Team:
Kevin Leonard, John Higgins, Declan Grafton, Stephen McKee, Ryan Brown, Conor McDevitt, Eamon Burns, Eamon Murray, Cathal Donnelly, Kevin Ward, Chris McGarrigle.
Subs: Raymond Caulfield, Martin McGuigan
