All square at Comber

All square at Comber

3 October 2012

HONOURS even as Killyleagh held on for an important point in this Amateur League Premier Section encounter at Parkway on Saturday.

The point moves Comber into a challenging third place in the league table and at the end they thought they had done enough to secure all three points.

The two respective managers, Eric Halliday and Bobby Murphy, made their names in successful previous spells at the clubs they were due to oppose in what was the first competitive encounter between the two since Murphy took over the Killyleagh hot seat at the start of the season.

But with Halliday on holiday, his place in the Comber dug out was taken by coach Stephen Bell.

Murphy has done well with his squad decimated by injuries, although he was glad to give a first start of the season in the YC colours to Willie McIlroy, a member of the Killyleagh Steel Cup winning side, and welcome back Ian Mannus.

Killyleagh again rose to the occasion and played some attractive football in the opening period as both teams went flat out for the decisive goal.

Coach Bell thought they squandered some good openings while Murphy was the happier of the two bosses at half-time as his side covered every blade of grass, epitomised by Mannus and Barry Walsh.

The visitors tired in the second period and at the end were grateful for some outstanding saves from Nathan Curran to keep them in it. Comber, powered on by their man of the match Ricky Leckey, went close in the final 10 minutes with Gary Sharrett hitting the bar and then YC man of the match Curran produced a fine save to deny Comber’s top scorer Mark Magennis.

Comber return to league action with a tricky away trip to Islandmagee in the league this weekend.

For Killyleagh, Murphy will be hoping to get some of his squad members back for Saturday’s home game against Albert Foundry, but satisfied with another point against a team the YC failed to get any points off last season.

Comber Rec 0

Killyleagh YC 0

AMATEUR LEAGUE PREMIER  SECTION