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Strabane 0-1 Draperstown Celtic

A goal from substitute Eamon Burns in the first minute of the second half was enough to gain all three points for Draperstown in what was a scrappy league encounter. It was Burns’ first appearance for Draperstown in almost two seasons and his headed goal which came from his first touch was one of the few pieces of skill on show during the match.

Draperstown could have been two goals to the good in the first five minutes but firstly Andy Burns and then Declan Graffin allowed good chances go astray. The poor pitch was certainly not conducive to good football and both sets of players found it difficult to pass the ball with any degree of accuracy. Gary Conway shot wide from 20 yards after 24 minutes while Declan Graffin headed over from Conway’s free on the half hour mark. McConnell had little to do in the Draperstown goals as the defence, back in 4-4-2- mode, was well marshalled by Quinn and McKillion who never allowed the Strabane attack a route through. Strabane’s McCallion, who earlier, was perhaps a little fortunate to get away without even a booking after kicking out at Celtic’s Conway, fired over two long range frees, which was the closest the home side came to scoring in the first half. Celtic finished the half strongly looking for the opening goal. Conroy saved well from Quinn’s header from a corner while Andy Burns’ shot from distance was narrowly wide.

Draperstown didn’t have long to wait in the second half for what turned out to be the decisive goal of the game. Colin Murray’s cross found John Higgins whose shot hit the post and rebounded back to Murray who quickly put the ball back into the penalty area for Burns to react the quickest to head firmly past Conroy. A second goal at this stage would surely have finished Strabane off and Conways superb shot from 30 yards beat Conroy but cannoned off the crossbar and away as Celtic attempted to turn their greater possession into further goals. A one goal lead is always fragile in any game and Strabane almost snatched an equaliser on 70 minutes when from a free kick O’Reilly headed just wide at the far post.

This however was to be their last chance, and it was Draperstown who should have added to their solitary goal when firstly Murray shot wide after being well set up by Andy Burns and in the final minute John Higgins somehow blasted over from two yards after excellent approach play from Brendan Heron.

Not the best Draperstown display by a long mark, but they travelled home with three precious points in the bag but also knowing there is still a great deal of work to do.

Reserve Team Fixture

The reserve team are home to basement club Lincoln Courts Res in the league this Saturday the 26th April.

Roe Valley 0-3 Draperstown Celtic

Draperstown progressed to the third round of the WKD Intermediate cup with a solid win over Roe Valley. This was always going to be a different game to the recent league encounter when Celtic put eight goals past the Valley who, on Saturday fielded a stronger side, but eventually ran out of steam as the game progressed especially in the second half.

Played in very cold, wet conditions and on a deteriorating pitch, good football was not going to be a feature of the game though all three of Draperstown goals, which came in the second half, certainly lightened the mood of the visitors’ camp.

Both teams struggled to come to terms with the conditions in the first half with real chances few and far between. Gary Conway who performed well in midfield for Draperstown saw a good shot deflected over for a corner on 12 minutes while at the other end, Billy Doran was unlucky to see his header similarly deflected away.

Both Sean McBride and Gary Cooke saw efforts saved as both teams attempted to grab the initiative and Valleys’ keeper, Cahar Mullan did well to pull off a double save from firstly Conway and then McBride on the half hour mark. It was by no means all one way traffic and this was borne out when McConnell had to save sharply from Gary Brady as the home side almost stole the lead right on half time.

The second half turned out to be a rather different affair. Draperstown grabbed the all important opening goal on 49 minutes when Declan Graffin powered in a header from 8 yards. Roe Valley, and in particular Chris Quigg, will wonder how they did not equalise on 55 minutes when unmarked and from close range, the forward slid the ball wide of the post with a goal at his mercy. An equaliser then might have put a different reflection on the game. As it was Draperstown certainly had full control of the game for the next 20 minutes and they were rewarded with two further goals. Firstly Sean McBride capitalised on Valley’s inability to clear the ball when from 25 yards, his first time effort beat Mullan to put Celtic firmly in the driving seat.

Further chances fell to Eamon Murray, Andy Burns and McBride but a series of good saves from Mullan prevented the scoreline from coming closer to the recent league encounter between the teams.

However Mullan was eventually beaten for the third time when he got a hand to, but could not prevent Gary Conway’s screamer from 25 yards hitting the back of the net on 78 minutes. Graffin almost added a fourth but again Mullan pulled off a good save, but by now, Draperstown were well content with their victory.

Next First Team Fixture

McGrogan Memorial Cup | Monday 27 July 2010
V
Draperstown Celtic v Broadway Celtic