Draperstown Celtic 3-0 Ardstraw
February 10, 2009
What a strange season this has been for defending champions, Draperstown. Not only was this just their second league victory of the current campaign but it was also their first home game, a remarkable fact in itself.
The game itself saw Draperstown dominant for long periods of the match and they could have won by a much greater margin. Having said that, Ardstraw were given a lifeline when two down and seemingly out of the game, when they were awarded a penalty but Eoin McNicholl showed his true class with a wonderful full length save to deny Gareth Watson and that was that for the visitors.
How Celtic failed to score before the 44th minute was perhaps indicative of their season so far. Dominating the game and playing well on a poor pitch they created and spurned a number of chances which would have seen them rap up the match much earlier than they did.
Early chances were spurned by Gavin Bradley and Ally McLean as Ardstraw were finding it difficult to gain any decent possession. Heroic defending from Darren Boyd stopped Sean McBride on 30 minutes while Nigel Boyd did even better to block McLean’s effort after being set up by the wonderfully skilful Benny Heron.
Just as it seemed that the half would somehow end goalless, McKillion’s cross was met by McBride who headed past Alan Dunlop to give Draperstown a most deserved lead on 44 minutes.
The second half again saw Draperstown mainly on top. A bad tackle from behind from Gourley saw McLean having to leave the game replaced by Burns, with the Ardstraw player not even spoken to by the referee while a yellow card, if not more was deserved. The visitors did try to get their game going but did not threaten McNicholl’s goal and it was Draperstown who should have doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Murray somehow missed Bradley’s cross with the goal at his mercy. The second however duly came when Bradley was fouled in the box and Murray sent Dunlop the wrong way.
A minute later came Ardstraw’s penalty when Quinn fouled Watson but McNicholl’s save was outstanding and five minutes later Celtic were out of sight when Caulfield’s great cross was met by Gavin Bradley who sent a thunderous drive to the roof of the net.
In the last ten minutes, further chances fell to Burns and Murray and a wonderful overhead kick from Bradley scraped the bar but the home side had to be content with three goals and the three points. This was certainly more like the Draperstown side of last season, defending well and creating chances from all areas of the field. And even though McNicholl had a quiet game overall, the big keeper’s penalty save came at a vital time and he is certainly one player, like others, who is growing in confidence with every game. It was also a great boost to see John Higgins make his first appearance of the season for Draperstown when coming on as a late substitute.
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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