Ballynagross pegged back by holders

Ballynagross pegged back by holders

16 November 2011

BALLYNAGROSS fell at the quarter final stages of the Bobby Dalzell Cup after leading the holders 2-0.

The home side started in fantastic fashion, going a goal up inside two minutes. Neat play from Chris Fryer at the heart of defence saw him release the ball to Ross Armstrong.

Armstrong then played a defence-splitting pass to Cahal Savage who calmly slotted past Danny Cassidy to give his side the lead and leave Castlewellan shell-shocked.

Things got even better for Ballynagross and after 23 minutes Stephen Moore made it 2-0 with a perfectly placed header.

Pressure was beginning to mount on the home side and Castlewellan did claw one back three minutes before the break through Colm Kearney.

Castlewellan came out for the second half much sharper and had numerous chances to equalise. They went close in the 56th minute when a free kick, was met by Aidy Burns and just as it looked certain to end up in the back of the net, McKinney once more was the ‘Gross saviour, producing another fantastic one-handed save to parry it behind.

On 63 minutes Gilgunn almost made it 3-1. He was released by Ritchie Fryer, but the goalkeeper stood firm to block the shot.

On 75 minutes disaster struck for the home side. Castlewellan’s right sided midfielder dribbled his way inside the box, cleverly pushed the ball forward and fell into his marker Terry Finney. The referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot and Dean Anderson stepped up to put the sides level.

On 83 minutes Castlewellan took the lead. A long throw in caused havoc in the ‘Gross penalty box and as the ball eluded everyone, Aidy Burns was there on the goal line to toe poke home.

Ballynagross had two great chances just before the end, Conor Lannin blasted narrowly wide after fantastic work by the excellent Ross Armstrong and Darryl McGrady thought he had equalised deep into stoppage time when the ball fell kindly to him 18 yards out. He calmly composed himself and unleashed a ferocious shot that just shaved the post.

Ballynagross: M. McKinney, S. Savage, C. MacNabb, C. Fryer, D. McGrady, C. Savage, S. Moore, R. Fryer, R. Armstrong, J. Gilgunn, F. Ward. Subs: C. Lannin, T. Finney, B. Finnegan.

• Match sponsored by Joe Mulholland, Solicitor.

Ballynagross 2

Castlewellan 3

BOBBY DALZELL CUP