Saints sunk by Mills

Saints sunk by Mills

THE bragging rights went to Drumaness in this Irish Cup derby at Meadowvale.

The Saints were hoping that the cup would provide a welcome distraction from their recent poor league form, but they were on the back foot from the off.

The Mills started brightly with Stefan Mason forcing Saints keeper Platt into an early save and pushing his low shot out for a corner.

From the corner Connor Walsh had a free header, but his effort went over. Mason then beat his man to the byline and sent over a low drive along the six-yard box, but McQuoid kicked into thin air when he should have put the Mills in front.

Philip Rogan then had a shot well saved by Platt, who was having an inspired game. Paul Walsh and Sean McQuoid also had efforts well saved.

The opening goal came in the 25th minute when the Mills were awarded a free kick out on the left flank. Paul Walsh played a lovely one-two with Rory Mason and then curled his shot into the top corner from 25 yards out.

Soon after it was 2-0 when Stefan Mason had a long range effort well saved and Walsh coolly put away the rebound for his second goal.

At the interval Rory and Stefan Mason were replaced by Kearney and McGrattan, but the second half was only a few minutes old when Drumaness needlessly conceded possession and Morrow curled a long range effort in the bottom corner to reduce the arrears.

The Saints thought they had equalised almost immediately afterwards , but Sherrard’s close range finish was ruled offside.

At the other end Gary Walsh had a shot parried on to the crossbar and over for a corner. From the corner Conor Walsh’s header was cleared off the line.

The Mills were beginning to dominate once more and their two-goal lead was soon restored. Conor Walsh played a great one-two with Philip Rogan, whose shot was brilliantly saved only for McGrattan to put away the rebound.

On the hour mark Saintfield dragged themselves back into the match. The Mills defence pressed the self-destruct button when Ewing gave away possession on the edge of the box.

Morrow released Clarke on the right and his cross was calmly converted by Sherrard to make it 3-2.

Drumaness stepped up the tempo and the killer fourth goal came when Ward won possession in midfield and released Kearney, whose precision pass from the left was slotted home by Conor Walsh.

Drumaness Mills: R. Campbell, G. Walsh, J. Ewing, B. Ward, G. Murdock, P. Rogan, P. Walsh, S. McQuoid, S. Mason, C. Walsh, R. Mason. Subs: M. Rainey, C. Kearney, A. McGrattan, P. O’Rawe.

Saintfield United: Platt, Ross, Weir, Spence, Thompson, Bookless, Kelly, Morrow, Sofley, Clarke, Sherrard. Subs: McCormick, Hunter, Young.

Drumaness Mills 4

Saintfield United 2

JJB IRISH CUP 2ND ROUND