Jones effort lifts hot Drumaness past Larne

Jones effort lifts hot Drumaness past Larne

DRUMANESS Mills set up a Clarence Cup semi-final meeting with Dunmurry Rec after a dramatic extra-time win over Larne Tech at Meadowvale on Saturday.

This was a match played in glorious sunshine, but on a heavy ground and both teams struggled initially to get any sort of rhythm going. The Mills were almost in front when Brian McIlmurray robbed the full back, but blasted his shot well wide.

Gavin McEvoy then danced down the right wing and sent in a good cross, but the Mills’ forwards were slow to react and the chance eluded them. The visitors then struck a hammer blow when Kevin Duffin was robbed by the winger who neatly sent the centre forward free and he made no mistake when slotting home to put Larne in front.

Connor and Paul Walsh worked tirelessly in the midfield and were in very impressive form. Conor Walsh sent a great through ball to McIlmurray but he shot wide. Despite pressure from the Mills, the visitors went in ahead at half-time.

The hosts started the second half with much more purpose and some ferocious tackles from Paul Walsh, who refused to give an inch of ground. With the half only 10 minutes old Duffin sent in a fantastic left wing cross that eluded everyone except Paul Walsh who arrived unseen at the far post to head home the equaliser.

The Mills continued to press and were unlucky when McEvoy skipped through several tackles and unleashed a fierce shot only to see the ‘keeper save low to his left. McIlmurray got on the end of Duffin’s cross and glanced his shot wide.

Nathan Jones came on for Anton McGrattan and was immediately into the fray. The substitute skipped down the left wing and sent in a great cross with the outside of his boot that was met by Conor Walsh, but his header glanced just wide.

The visitors then went down to ten men when their right back hauled down McEvoy and then just minutes later upended Jones with a two-footed tackle.

After the dismissal Mills took control of the game, but they just couldn’t seem to find the net despite great efforts by Jones and Stevie Rogan.

Extra-time was just started when Jones was put through following great work by Duffin and McEvoy, and he calmly slotted home to put the Mills ahead.

Jones went through again, but this time the ‘keeper did well to smother his shot.

The Mills were in full control, and they extended their lead when Duffin played a one two with Walsh, got to the line and sent an inch perfect cross low into the box which Rogan slotted home to seal their place in the next round.

Drumaness Mills: R. Walsh, K. Duffin, O. Wright, B. Ward, G. Murdock, S. Rogan, C. Walsh, P. Walsh, B. McIlmurray, G. McEvoy, A. McGrattan. Subs: S. Mason, G. Morrison. N. Jones.

Drumaness Mills 3

Larne Tech OB 1

CLARENCE CUP QUARTER-FINAL