A double strike from Ally Gordon secured all three points for reigning league champions U.U.C in this top of the league clash. Played in very windy conditions but on a good pitch, the university side deserved their win and Draperstown can have few complaints.
A draw for Celtic would have been a good result but they started sluggishly and though they put a great deal of effort and determination into the game they were unable to break through the equally determined home defence The visitors bossed possession especially in the second half but were unable to create any real goal scoring opportunities which was to be their downfall.
U.U.C opened well and were the sharper side. Eager to win tackles and get the ball forward quickly to their three man attack, they were putting Celtic’s back four under some pressure. However the first half chance came on 12 minutes when Sean Young’s surging run and cross almost brought an own goal from Handford who was releaved to see his scrambled clearance go the right side of the post.
But it was U.U.C who took the lead on 15 minutes when Ciaran Doherty gathered a poor attempt at a clearance, passed to Gordon who headed past McGuckin from 8 yards. While UUC were worth their goal, Draperstown had two opportunities to clear the danger before Doherty’s pass and were made to rue this basic mistake.
Dohertry almost doubled the lead on the half hour mark and had he scored, it would have been a very disputed goal to say the least. He gathered the ball after it had clearly gone out for a throw, which was not given, and as Celtic waited for the decision Doherty strode forward only to hit wide from inside the box. As the half wore on, the closest Celtic came was from two free kicks, from Burns and Graffin which caused little concern to McGeough in U.U.C’s nets.
The second half saw the home side content to sit back and play on the break. Their well organised defence dealt well with the Draperstown pressure though on more than one occasion, McGeough spilled shots but managed to clear the danger before a telling strike could be made.
U.U.C secured the victory in the 91st minute when with Draperstown pushing forward, a long ball found Gordon who finished well from 12 yards.
Not the result Draperstown were hoping for and with five games left they find themselves four points behind U.U.C but still with two games in hand. They now take on the mantle of must win games.
