Castlewellan on target to retain crown

1 May 2013

IT’S advantage Castlewellan following Super Saturday at Carginagh Road when the Town and Killough both claimed three precious points as the season hurtles down the final straight.

Stevie Trainor scored the only goal of the game when the Town just edged out Ballyvea on pitch 2 and on pitch 1 Killough beat a weakened Mourne Rovers 4-0.

These two results leaves Castlewellan and Killough locked at the top with the destiny of the Rathmourne Cup likely to go to goal difference.

Killough are top at the moment by three points and have one game left, but they have played a game more then their deadly rivals and are a goal worse off in goal difference.

Killough entertained Annalong last night and Castlewellan were at home to Strangford. Should both teams win and they are expected to comfortably, then all Castlewellan have to do is beat Mourne Rovers at Bann Road on Saturday, retain their goal difference advantage and the title is theirs.

Saturday’s win over Ballyvea on their own patch was down to a dogged display all over the park. The first half was an even affair with Ballyvea ruffling a few feathers with a much more physical approach than usual.

Castlewellan took all that was given and stormed into a 46th minute lead when Trainor buried the ball past a stranded Johnny Main after a superb pass from Donagh Steele.

The game on pitch 1, which also had been scoreless after 45 minutes, suddenly sprung into life when Tony McIlhone broke the deadlock in the 47th minute.

Killough would go on to win the game comfortably with further goals from Matt McKiernan, an own goal and Adam George, but Castle-wellan were involved in a much tougher battle.

Ruairi McArdle went close to making it 2-0 when he hit the post after good work from Dean Anderson (inset) and Trainor had a shot brilliantly saved by Main before Ballyvea started to hem the Town back in their own half.

Mark Burden missed two absolute sitters before goalkeeper Michael Watson almost handed an equaliser to Ballyvea.

The big custodian raced off his line to claim a Matt Johnston free kick out of the air, however, he slipped in the process and was left floundering on the grass as the ball sailed over him and went inches wide.

This was Castlewellan’s only real scare as they held out for what could prove to be a priceless win.

Ballyvea 0

Castlewellan 1

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE PREMIER

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