Double delight is possible with all to play for now

Double delight is possible with all to play for now

30 April 2014

DRUMANESS’ double dreams are very much alive and kicking after this comfortable victory at Parkway on Saturday.

Dessie Campbell’s boys are intent on finishing the season on a massive high and adding the Clarence Cup to the Premier Section crown is more than just a reality as both competitions hurtle to a conclusion.

The Mills sit proudly at top of the Amateur League table and with only two league games left after last night, they are in pole position with Crumlin Star breathing down their necks.

Standing in their way of Clarence Cup glory are Ards Rangers with the showpiece end of season final scheduled for May 13 or 14.

Saturday’s win wasn’t pretty, but victory was all that mattered with a benevolent Dunmurry side giving the Mills a leg-up with some chaotic defending in the final third of the pitch.

Five minutes of cagey football had passed when Stefan Mason put ‘keeper James Taylor under pressure as he chased down a long clearance from Steven Keenan. Both players went to ground, but all Taylor could do was hack the ball away to what he thought was safety.

Paul Walsh had other plans for Taylor’s clearance and the undoubted man of the match let fly from 25 yards out with the ball sailing into the net.

Dunmurry worked a nice overload from the restart and Joe Murray went down in the box after being tackled by Kevin Duffin, but appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Trevor Moutray.

The Rec continued to find room down the right flank and with 15 minutes gone the overlapping David McCallen sent over a delightful cross that begged to be put away, but Keenan denied Aby Sanusi with a timely, punched clearance.

Less than a minute later on the other flank Jarlath O’Rourke put a cross onto the head of Nigel Prentice, but his header was well saved by Keenan. The Mills custodian was back in action in the 24th minute when he denied Chris Dickie after he was set-up by McCallen following a free kick.

Dunmurry were then caught with a sucker punch in the 29th minute when Keenan raced out of his box to head a through ball to safety. However, Dunmurry were left flat-footed by Keenan’s powerful clearance and Gavin McEvoy surged through the heart of the Rec defence.

The Mills playmaker had Sean McQuoid and Mason waiting for the ball in the box, but he 

didn’t need them as Johnny Porter 

turned McEvoy’s cross into his own net to make it 2-0.

Gary Hewitt missed two good chances in the 32nd and 33rd minutes before Glen Hand also blasted over as Dunmurry tried desperately to get back into the game.

Half-time was fast approaching when Drumaness pushed forward in search of another goal and that’s exactly what they got. Mason embarked on another of his unselfish runs that took him into the box where he was floored by Neil Larmour and Paul Walsh made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 3-0.

The Mills had a lucky escape just four minutes into the second half when Prentice was unable to get contact to a loose ball in the box when any sort of touch would have resulted in a goal.

With 52 minutes gone Paul Walsh threaded a perfect pass into the path of McEvoy, but Taylor saved well.

The Mills were in cruise mode now and with 58 minutes gone Mason drifted wide right to link up with Stevie Rogan.

He beat his marker with ease and crossed to the back post for Anton McGrattan, but he fired wide from a great position. Mason then decided to go it alone in the Mills’ next attack, but his shot was saved by Taylor.

Drumaness could now afford to take their foot off the gas and they coasted through the remainder of the game. There was the odd moment of worry for them, but Colin Arnott wasted a good chance for Dunmurry after good work from Dickie.

Drumaness Mills: S. Keenan, E. Wright, K. Duffin, B. Ward, G. Murdock, P. Walsh, G. McEvoy, S. McQuoid, S. Mason, S. Rogan, A. McGrattan. Subs: N. Jones, R. Mason, G. Morrison.

Dunmurry Rec: J. Taylor, D. McCallen, J. O’Rourke, N. Larmour, J. Porter, G. Hewitt, G. Hand, A. Sanusi, N. Prentice, J. Murray, C. Dickie. Subs: C. Arnott, P. Larkin, C. Cochrane-Curran. 

Drumaness Mills 3

Dunmurry Rec 0

CLARENCE CUP SEMI-FINAL