Two late goals fire Forest into Clarke Cup Easter final

Two late goals fire Forest into Clarke Cup Easter final

20 March 2024

CASTLEWELLAN Forest progressed to the final of this year’s NFU Mutual Harry Clarke Cup after overcoming Ballynahinch Young Men in very dramatic fashion at Ballyhornan on Friday night.

It was the very late, late show as a 96th minute penalty from Forest midfielder Ryan Morgan ensured it was the Castlewellan outfit which will be starring alongside Killough in the Easter showpiece.

The Young Men’s Aaron Cheevers fired his team into a first half lead before Jason Croskery’s audacious effort levelled the tie after 83 minutes.

With extra-time looming, a handball inside the area was awarded against the tiring Ballynahinch team and Morgan slotted home the resulting spot kick to seal the result.

Division 1 Ballynahinch were given a puncher’s chance by many before the first whistle, considering they are a league below Forest and that they are still finding their feet in the Newcastle League, in this, just their second year.

However, the men from Langley Road tore up any which saw them rollover and they held their own against a Forest side who struggled for essentially the opening 45 minutes.

Unlike the week before, in the other semi-final between Downpatrick and Killough, this time around there were no battering winds and playing conditions were ideal.

But, Castlewellan couldn’t get going.

It was a rather cagey affair, with Forest knocking on the door but their decision making in the final third letting them down while Ballynahinch opted to cleverly sit back and either counter-attack or aim to make the most of a set piece.

When Forest did get their chances, they were continuously denied by Ballynahinch shot stopper Raymond Tate, who had a notable performance in-between the sticks.

However, it was Ballynahinch who broke the deadlock after 27 minutes.

The warning signs were there just 60 seconds before the scoring was opened, as a Ballynahinch corner was met by the head of Young Men defender Ronnie Johnston, whose strike barrelled towards the top corner but was kept out by a fantastic save from Castlewellan custodian Brian McVeigh.

Although, from the resultant corner kick, Johnston again got his head to the ball and this time his effort was scrambled out to team-mate Cheevers, who unleashed a half-volley high into the Forest net to give his team the lead.

Ballynahinch held on to this advantage until the half-time whistle, but, as expected, it wouldn’t be easy for them to do so after the interval.

Following the restart, Forest came out firing from all cylinders, pushing the Young Men into their own half and desperately seeking the equalising goal.

This came at a price, however, as Ballynahinch continued to pick their moments and almost doubled their advantage on two separate occasions.

Firstly, they cracked the post from range before, just 15 minutes later, Aaron Cheevers danced through the Forest defence and slid his effort beyond ‘keeper McVeigh.

But, Forest were kept in the tie thanks to the last-ditch sliding efforts of defender Barry Travers, who did enough to keep the deficit to a minimum and prevent the goal.

From here onwards Castlewellan pummelled the Ballynahinch defence with probing passes and efforts on goal, although the Ballynahinch defence of Kyle Spindlow, Alan Dickson, Tyler Dickson and Ronnie Johnston stood firm.

In fact, the only way Castlewellan seemed to be in with a chance of equalising was if something special was to happen.

And, that is exactly what occurred. 

With less than ten minutes of regulation time remaining, a Forest throw-in was headed down into the path of Jason Croskey, who had no hesitation in striking first time from almost 25 yards out.

His effort rocketed into the top right corner, despite Tate’s acrobatic attempt to save, as the shot had too much power for the goalkeeper’s glove to keep out.

This set up a grandstand finish and with five minutes of time added on, both sets of supporters held their breath.

In the final minute of added time, Castlewellan substitute Shane Mooney’s attempt at goal struck a Ballynahinch hand and a penalty was given.

Up stepped Ryan Morgan to steer his effort into the bottom left corner and send his team into the highly anticipated Clarke final. 

Unfortunately for Ballynahinch, there was no time left to add even more drama to the occasion and referee Barry Mullan sounded his whistle for the final time.

Ballynahinch YM: R Tate, K Spindlow, A Dickson, R Johnston, T Dickson, M Shaw, A Cheevers (capt), W Gregory, J Dickson, B Lennon, S Cheevers.

Subs: L Maxwell, N Cheevers, J Mason, J Herbert.

Castlewellan Forest: B McVeigh, C McCabe, B Travers, C Burns, S McCann (capt), C Corrigan, S Fitzsimmons, R Morgan, A Dornan, S Kinley, J Croskery.

Subs: T Rice, D Gregory, L Anderson, S Mooney.

Referee: B Mullan.