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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.

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Written by Michael Kelly · Filed Under First Team, News