Drumaness inflict rare reversal on title-chasers Rathfriland

Drumaness inflict rare reversal on title-chasers Rathfriland

21 December 2016

THE form book went out the window when Drumaness Mills entertained previously unbeaten Rathfriland Rangers at Meadowvale on Saturday. 

Drumaness grabbed the initiative and went at the Border Cup finalists with all guns blazing.

In the first minute a neat through ball from McGivern found Stefan Mason cutting in from the right wing, but his goal bound shot well blocked by Evans. 

A minute later it was Mason providing a cross for Sean McQuoid whose shot from 15 yards just went over. A run and cross by right back Michael Rainey was destined to reach Tommy McConville unmarked at the back post, but keeper Harrison just about managed to clear the danger.

McConville, playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, had a great run down the left, played a one-two with McGivern in the box and should have done better with his final shot. 

Two minutes later, some neat interplay by McGivern, McQuoid and Mason in the Rathfriland box created a chance for McGarrity arriving at the back post, but Harrison turned the ball away for a corner.

A McQuoid corner from the left found Gary Murdock heading goalward until Black headed clear. A goalmouth scramble followed McQuoid’s next corner when McConville had two efforts blocked on the line and Owen Wright had his shot deflected wide.

Drumaness finally got the opening goal their unrelenting pressure deserved after 14 minutes. Another strong run by McConville saw him breach the visitors’ defence and he squared to McGivern who curled a beauty in at the far post.

On a rare Rathfriland attack, full back Jonathan Black provided a cross which Costello volleyed goalward. Keenan’s save rebounded to McConnell who stabbed it home, only to be given offside by the referee.

Against the run of play Rathfriland got their equaliser on 26 minutes and in controversial circumstances.

A long, high ball played into the Mills box, produced the referee’s whistle, which everyone assumed was for offside. 

Instead, the referee awarded a free kick to Rathfriland. Costello’s run-up suggested he was going to blast his shot, but he slipped the ball to Scannell coming in from the left.

His cross was met in a crowed box by Graham who deflected the ball home. 

The second half began in a more competitive fashion, with both teams creating good chances.

A McQuoid cross found McGarrity, whose powerful header at the back post turned away by Harrison. From the resulting corner, a Murdock header was cleared off the line by Larkin.

At the other end, Rathfriland should have taken the lead when Costello got on the end of a Graham cross, but he completely mishit his volley when free.

The Mills regained the lead on the hour mark when Jordan Patterson appeared to have overhit his cross to the back post, but McGarrity somehow rose to get a connection and loop his header back across goal and past a stranded Harrison. 

Four minutes later it was 3-1. From the halfway line McGarrity played a slide-rule pass to McGivern, who waltzed past the Rathfriland defenders, rounded the ‘keeper and calmly fired home. 

Rathfriland hit back right away with the Mills defenders appealing for offside. Costello ran on to Roy’s through ball and confidently slotted past the advancing Keenan to make it 3-2. With 15 minutes remaining the Mills sealed the win with a fourth goal. A quick throw-in on the right found Stefan Mason advancing into the Rathfriland penalty area. His pull back and shot should have been saved by Harrison, but it somehow managed to creep underneath him. 

A calamity in the Rathfriland defence almost gifted the Mills a fifth. A poor clearance fell straight to McKnight and with the keeper out on the right wing, he passed to McQuoid instead of taking on the long range shot.

A much improved performance from the Mills, with Tommy McConville a revelation in his new midfield role. The game also saw the return of Rory Mason to the squad, replacing McGivern in the second half.

Tollymore United 5

Ballynahinch Olympic Town 0

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