Bad day in front of goal for Mills

Bad day in front of goal for Mills

13 August 2014

GREAT expectations at Drumaness on the opening day of the season turned into a bleak house for goal scorers.

The faithful Mills’ supporters were left wondering what the ‘Dickens’ was going on as the defending champions were outplayed and in the final analysis, they had goalkeeper Stephen Keenan to thank for keeping them in the game.

Fair enough, Drumaness had to field without 10 players from last year’s squad — Owen Wright, Brendan Ward, Kevin Duffin, Paul Greener, Anton 

McGrattan, Philip Rogan, Stephen Rogan, Paul Walsh, Nathan Jones, Rory Mason — and it showed as the flowing, cohesive football that was their 

trade mark last season was sadly missing.

Both sides started cautiously, pushing and prodding the ball around the park as an aperitif, but once the game came to life it was Albert Foundry who dominated the possession stakes and created most of the chances.

It took a full 10 minutes before we saw any goalmouth action, but it was a much-changed Albert Foundry side who seized the initiative when the experienced Barry Bloomer carved out an opening for William McCombe, but he blasted the ball well wide.

The heavens opened and torrential rain bombarded Meadowvale, mak-

ing life difficult for both sets of players.

The visitors were definitely the more cohesive with Drumaness lacking a cutting edge, as well as variety and creativity in their midfielders’ distribution.

The only time the Mills really looked threatening was when Conor Walsh drove forward and he went close to opening the scoring when he got on the end of a rare cross from the left, but that was it for the Mills in a disappointing opening.

Albert Foundry had the upper hand in midfield and played the ball intelligently down the channels to the willing Bloomer and Paul Atchinson while Drumaness preferred to drive things down the middle with the flanks rarely used.

Bloomer warmed Keenan’s hands in the 31st minute with a stinging shot from just outside the box and as the rain continued to batter the players and me, Ian West missed an absolute sitter when he sliced a perfect cross from Scott Hill wide of the target when it seemed easier to score.

As the first half drew to a close another tantalising cross from Gavin McEvoy on the left begged to be put away, but there was nobody at hone and the chance was gone.

The Mills improved slightly after the break and Stefan Mason worked a chance for himself before he shot straight at Steven Cairnduff in the 59th minute.

The young striker followed this up with another good shot on target after he robbed West, but Cairnduff was not to be beaten.

Mason was the Mills’ best outlet and as the heavens opened again with unmerciful rain, Mason dispossessed West again and stormed unmarked into the box.

He had only Cairnduff to beat, but rather than go it alone he opted to tray and square the ball to Colin Manley, but it proved to be the wrong choice as 

John Burns got back to clear the 

danger.

This was a bad miss and one that almost came back to haunt the Mills as Albert Foundry finished the game on top.

The visitors were denied a penalty in the 75th minute when a Johnny Ewan tackle on Ryan Murray had Albert Foundry baying for a spot kick, but the referee waved play on.

Mark Feenan, who had replaced Manley, then embarked on a good run and finished it with a shot on target that wasn’t too far away, and Adam Neale, who replaced Mason had a shot saved by Cairnduff, but that was as good as it got for the Mills.

Albert Foundry looked the more likely to make the breakthrough in the closing stages, but the dangerous Bloomer was denied by a brilliant save from Keenan and the Mills custodian then denied Burns with another brave save.

Keenan remained defiant and received great support from Glenn Morrison, who rarely put a foot wrong all afternoon, Gary Murdock and the inspirational Conor Walsh who put in that many defensive headers you would have though he had a magnet on top of his head.

Final score: Drumaness Mills 0 Albert Foundry 0

Drumaness Mills: S. Keenan, M. Savage, G. Morrison, G. Murdock, J. Ewan, S. McQuoid, G. McEvoy, D. McConnell, C. Walsh, C. Manley, S. Mason. Subs: M. Feenan, B. Ward, A. Neale.

Albert Foundry: S. Cairnduff, W. Maxwell, S. Hill, J. Burns, M. McAlinden, I. West, D. McCombe, W. McCombe, B. Bloomer, P. McCord, P. Atchinson. Subs: R. Murray, J. Martin, M. Wallace.