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Churchill Utd 1–3 Draperstown Celtic

January 26, 2009

Good things happen to those who wait, or so we are told, and this was the case for Draperstown who recorded their first league win of the campaign with a solid victory over Churchill. This time last year both teams were in the running for league honours but how things have changed.

To be fair this win was long overdue for Celtic. They have not become a poor team though they have suffered some disappointing results this year. They have played some very good football throughout without ever reaching the heights of last year but on Saturday it was more like normal service had resumed. A double strike from Eamon Murray and one from the perennial Eamonn Burns saw off the resistance of a Churchill side who struggled for long periods in the game especially with Benny Heron who once again showed what a talent he is. Three different players were given the task to mark him during the game, all three were booked, as their combined frustration of watching him take the game by the scruff of the neck was symbolic of his general overall play and the effect he had on the game. Conal O’Brien also had an excellent game in this, his debut for Draperstown and the hopes are now that Celtic can begin to climb the league.

The opening exchanges were quite equal but when Celtic took the lead in the 20th minute it began a period of dominance where the home team should have been out of the game totally. Gavin Bradley’s break on the left and his intelligent pass to Murray saw last year’s leading scorer hit the back of the net from 12 yards. Three minutes later and a blatant push on Bradley by Smallwoods should have produced a penalty but the referee waved play on much to the disbelief of the Celtic team.

A rare attack from Churchill saw O’Donnell head wide before Sean Young’s rasping drive on 30 minutes was tipped around the post by Doherty in the home goals. From the corner O’Brien had a header cleared off the line before Doherty fumbled a Young shot, but was relieved to see it clear the bar. The last ten minutes of the half saw Draperstown encamped in Churchill territory but were unable to add to the scoreline.
The second half opened with Draperstown still taking the game to Churchill. On 49 minutes great skill from Heron saw the player round two defenders before getting away his shot from the edge of the box but Doherty was able to palm the ball around the post.

The deserved second goal came on 57 minutes when Samllwoods who was Churchill’s best player on view, lost possession to Heron who again beat two players to set up Eamonn Burns who scored from 12 yards. The same player could have scored only two minutes later when after being set up by Murray he chose to attempt to lob the keeper but saw his effort clear the bar.

Celtic then appeared to take the foot off the peddle and for a period allowed Churchill to come back into the game They pulled a goal back on 65 minutes when O’Donnell scored direct from a free kick and only a last gasp tackle from Quinn prevented McKittrick getting away his shot when a goal looked likely. This has been Draperstown’s Achilles heel this year in not being able to see off teams when in apparent control but on Saturday they were able to do this when the points were secured on 85 minutes when Heron’s cross to the far post was headed back across goal by McKillion for Murray to finish from close range.

A good performance from Draperstown, with several fine individual displays, but one which manager John McKee knows can be further improved.

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Newbuildings Utd 2-2 DC

January 5, 2009

Draperstown Celtic still await their first league victory of the season after their latest outing, away to Newbulidings Utd. This game was so like many others for Draperstown this season. Dominant for large parts of the game, several good chances created and spurned, and having to settle for a draw and this against a team who had Peter Allen sent off in the 35th minute. It’s hard to put a finger on what exactly has changed so dramatically for the league champions. Some of the football they played on Saturday was out of the top drawer with quick passing and no shortage of skill, and in Brendan Heron, especially in his first half display have a player of undoubted talent.

The game almost opened in dramatic fashion for Celtic. Inside the first minute a sublime flick by Eamon Murray opened up the home defence leaving Gavin Bradley one on one with Glenn Watson in the home goal, but he pulled his shot horribly wide with the goal at his mercy. Sean Young’s header from Heron’s free on 10 minutes had Watson scampering across the goal but the goal Draperstown’s play deserved came on 14 minutes when Sean McBride’s miss hit shot fell kindly for Bradley who finished well from 12 yards. Straight from the restart Celtic won back possession and only a fine smothering save from Watson prevented Murray from doubling the advantage.

Newbuilding’s equaliser on the half hour was somewhat against the run of play. Draperstown failed to clear their lines and with more than a suspicion of a foul on Ally McLean, Kenny King pounced from 10 yards giving McNicholl no chance.

Five minutes later saw Allen receive a straight red after an altercation with Mark McNicholl who was booked for his part and referee Wallace did well to keep the game under control as matters threatened to boil over in the next few minutes.

One would have expected Draperstown to be dominant at the beginning of the second half but it was Newbuildings who looked to take the game to Celtic. Playing Darryl Wallace as a lone striker they were able to keep a lot of possession but without forcing Eoin McNicholl into any real action in the Celtic goal. Indeed it was Draperstown who had the best opening when Heron’s cross field pass found Sean Young on the edge of the box but his pass only found Ryan Wallace who cleared and a great chance was gone.

Watson then saved well from substitute Eamonn Burns before McNicholl pulled off a smart save from Gregory McIvor’s free.
Draperstown had two very good appeals for a penalty turned down in the space of 5 minutes. Firstly, on the hour, Young appeared to be pushed off the ball by King following Heron’s cross while on 65 minutes, Heron was barged off the ball but despite loud appeals Stephen Wallace waved play on. However he did award the home side a spot kick on 73 minutes when he adjudged Raymond Caulfield’s challenge on Darryl Wallace a foul and McIvor scored form the resultant penalty.

The last 15 minutes saw Draperstown take control of the game again. Their equaliser came on 80 minutes when Emmett McKillion’s pass from the right was touched home by Bradley for his second. Mark McNicholl almost capped a fine performance when he latched onto Declan Graffin’s throw, but his shot was touched around the post by Watson. From the resultant corner, Bradley’s header was saved at point blank range by the keeper who knew little about it, the ball striking his shoulder before being hacked away. McKillion could have won it right at the death for Draperstown when after latching onto McNicholl’s pass he shot into the side netting, and the chance of a first victory was gone. With the referee playing no added time at all, both sides had to settle for the draw but it was Newbuildings who were the happier with their point.

Written by Michael Kelly · Filed Under First Team, News | Leave a Comment