Fightback by Mills too late at Solitude

Fightback by Mills too late at Solitude

19 December 2012

THIS cup clash at Solitude was a game that the Mills could easily have won, despite a slow start.

The Mills were under the cosh early on when the home centre forward beat the offside trap and rattled the inside of the post.

The ball rolled across the goal line and hit the inside of the other post where it was cleared by Rainey.

On the break, Campbell was forced into another fine save, but the Mills started to settle and play their own game and a throw in from Ewing found Stefan Mason, but his header was tipped for a corner.

McEvoy found Rory Mason with the corner and only a fine double save denied the young striker. This was a fiercely contested game, especially in midfield.

The Cliftonville number 10 was involved with a tussle in the centre of the field with Conor Walsh. He kicked out at Walsh leaving the referee no option but to give him a straight red.

The home team did not buckle and just before half-time got a free kick just on the edge of the box, the striker got the ball over the wall, but Campbell was equal to it with a great save and the half ended with the teams all square.

With the second half just minutes old, a long through ball was not dealt with and the Olympic striker sent in a glancing header. The ball was cleared off the line, but was adjudged by the referee to have crossed it and he awarded a goal.

Campbell was called into action again with another great save, but the home team were in full flow now and a great ball in from the left saw the striker take the ball down eight yards out and slot it into the back of the net to put them 2-0.

McEvoy was starting to come into the game more and a cross by Paul Walsh was headed over the bar. Then McEvoy became provider when his lovely run and cross was met by Conor Walsh and he slotted home to reduce the arrears.

The Mills then won a corner and a Ward header was heading to the back of the net when it was deflected for another corner. Minutes later Conor Walsh was clearly impeded and should have had a penalty when he attempted to get on the end of cross from McQuoid, but the referee waved the Mills’ appeals away.

The Mills continued to press to the final whistle, but could not find an equaliser.

Drumaness Mills: R. Campbell. M. Rainey, J. Ewing, B. Ward, G. Murdock, P. Walsh, G. McEvoy, S. McQuoid, S. Mason, C. Walsh, R. Mason. Subs: P. Rogan, M. Savage, O. Wright, C. Kearney.

Cliftonville Olympic 2

Drumaness Mills 1

INTERMEDIATE CUP