Draperstown Celtic 2-1 Roe Valley
April 12, 2007
Draperstown completed a league double over Roe Valley in front of a sizeable crowd who, only in brief spells, saw good passing football. A hard, bumpy pitch certainly didn’t help matters and injuries to a number of players on both sides resulted in a lack of consistency.
The first half was dire to say the least with passes going astray all over the field and neither side coming to terms with the conditions. It may have been a different matter if Declan Graffin’s header from Cathal Donnelly’s corner had found the back of the net instead of the post in the second minute, with Kevin Ward hitting the rebound over the bar.
Much of this period was a dour midfield battle with Davis and Peter Mullan for Valley attempting to inspire the visitor’s attack, but with little success.
Graffin again came close for Celtic when he volleyed over from 15 yards while Leonard in the home goal was a virtual spectator for most of the half.
At least the second half brought about an improved performance from Draperstown. Eamon Murray came close to opening the scoring on 48 minutes when his header from Donnelly’s cross beat the keeper but also the bar. Celtic’s Kevin Ward had to leave the field with an ankle injury replaced by Emmet McKillion who belied his youthful years by putting in another very promising performance.
Draperstown took the lead on 55 minutes when Raymond Caulfiled scored at the far post for his first of the season but the combative midfielder was soon to be carried off the field following a meaty challenge with Valley’s Buttress. The lead was almost doubled two minutes later when good interchanging passing from Higgins and McKillion saw the former’s shot parried by McPeake. However the home support was somewhat taken aback when Roe Valley equalised out of the blue. Cooke’s long range shot, going wide, was deflected into the path of Brolly who scored past Leonard on 62 minutes.
Inspired by this, Valley attempted to up the tempo but it was Draperstown who took the initiative again when McKillion found Murray whose first time pass found Gary Conway who scored from the edge of the box to give Celtic the lead after 73 minutes. The home side were determined not to let this lead slip and indeed had chances to extend it when firstly Murray shot narrowly wide and then when McKillion’s pass found the in-rushing Higgins who volleyed just over the bar.
Little was seen of Roe Valley as an attacking force in the remaining ten minutes of the game and while Celtic will be happy with the result there is room for improvement for them with five league games still to play and with them, an opportunity to finish the league campaign in a more acceptable position.
Next First Team Fixture
V 
Strabane v Draperstown Celtic
Skills Development Centre
Folks this Saturday 04th September is the last day of the Football Development Centre for.Under 14 Registration
LadsAs we are now entering the Mid Ulster Youth League we have had to re - register you.The New Season
The sun shone, the pitch was in great condition and the team put in a very good performanc.Quick League Table
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