Daniel’s double delights Swifts

6 January 2016

ANNALONG’S ‘Gadgie Boys’ were singing and dancing in the rain after lifting the Bobby Dalzell Cup for the first time in 34 years at Meadowvale on Boxing Day.

Two goals from Daniel McElderrry, who only got a late shout to play after Darren Hyland picked up a two-match suspension, and a Christmas cracker from Gregory Forsythe were good enough to get the better of a shell-shocked Ballyvea outfit on a dreadful day for football.

Both sides started nervously on the perfect looking playing surface at Drumaness, despite the recent, incessant rain, but the first scoring opportunity fell to Ballyvea.

With eight minutes on the clock Mark Burden blocked down an attempted clearance in the box. The ball could have gone anywhere, but it headed for the back of the Annalong net until Gareth Graham popped up from nowhere to clear the ball off the line.

A minute later at the other end Stevie Burden seemed certain to score when he slid in to the six yard box to get on the end of a cross from Matthew McConnell, but he scooped the ball over the bar.

With 16 minutes gone Annalong survived another goalmouth scramble when Mark McConnell had an effort cleared off the line and Jordan McConnell had another shot blocked after a Timmy Johnston corner caused the bother.

It wasn’t long before the breakthrough came, but it was the Gadgie Boys — that’s Annalong speak for locals — who drew first blood.

Left back Greg Forsythe didn’t seem to have a lot on when he picked the ball up about 35 yards from goal and five yards in from the sideline.

However, he arrowed in a stunning strike that flew over Stephen Main and into the top right hand corner of the net.

With 24 minutes gone Annalong almost made it 2-0 when Richard Gordon connected with a Burden cross, but he blazed over the bar.

Ten minutes later at the other end David Fitzpatrick did well to keep out a Keith Hanna free kick and two minutes later Ballyvea were again out of luck when Mark McConnell played a delightful through ball into Mark Burden.

The big striker took the ball under control and shot first time, but his effort hit the base of the upright and flew to safety.

Back came Ballyvea and with 42 minutes gone Paul Grant, who enjoyed the physicality of the midfield war, chanced his arm from distance, but was way off target.

The second half was barely three minutes old when Ballyvea equalised. Annalong failed to deal with a speculative ball into the box and Johnston was on hand to steer the ball home through a crowded penalty area.

With 58 minutes gone Gary Haugh went perilously close to giving Ballyvea a 2-1 lead when his header went flashing past the post.

Annalong continued to threaten and with 64 minutes gone Stevie Burden, who was now operating in midfield, shot over from distance before Mark Burden shot over from close in at the other end.

It was at this stage that Annalong went for broke and their hunger shone through. The game had entered the final 10 minutes when McElderry was perfectly placed to tuck away the ball after a free kick from McConnell wasn’t dealt with.

William Forsythe went close to making it 3-1 before McElderry finished Ballyvea off in added time when he converted a cross from William Forsythe and complete the job after one of the best finals in years.

Annalong Swifts: D Fitzpatrick, G Graham, G Forsythe, A Nugent, P Heelham, T Gordon, M Newell, P Grant, D McElderry, M McConnell, S Burden. Subs: W Forsythe, A Henning, J Gilchrist, M Nicholson, M Burden.

Ballyvea: S Main, J McConnell, K Hanna, J Stewart, G Haugh, A Chambers, T Johnston, G Gordon, M McConnell, P McConnell, M Burden. Subs: W Glenny, S Stevenson, G Stewart, P Chambers, G Haugh.

Man of the match: Daniel McElderry (Annalong).

Annalong 3

Ballyvea 1

BOBBY DALZELL CUP FINAL

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