Main man Philip seals derby win

Main man Philip seals derby win

11 April 2012 - by BY CHARLIE McSTAY

HOLDERS Ballyvea set up a blockbuster Harry Clarke Cup final showdown with treble-chasing Castlewellan after this derby win at Bear Park, Newcastle.

Ballyvea’s greater efficiency in front of goal gave them the edge, but the battle of the Mournes this definitely was not in a low key affair in front of a good crowd.

Valley were expected to bring something new to the table, given that manager Ricky Forsythe knows Ballyvea’s game inside out, but every move he made was countered by a resolute Carginagh Road side.

Ballyvea were first to style and with three minutes gone Mark Burden sliced the Valley defence wide open with a through ball into the path of David Morris, but he blazed wildly over the bar from a good position.

Less than a minute at the other end, Colin Jones produced a timely tackle to deny Raymond Hanna a shooting opportunity as Valley retaliated in style.

Valley’s Ryan Stevenson then played a clever ball into the path of the overlapping Bill Charleton, but he too blazed well over. Valley were certainly enjoying their fair share of possession and with 12 minutes gone Richard Graham was prevented from getting a shot in when goalkeeper Steven Main raced off his line to avert the danger.

The opener wasn’t long in coming, but it was Ballyvea who made the breakthrough after 18 minutes.

Chris Frazer, who looked the real deal down the right flank, played a super ball into Mark Burden and the big striker did the rest with a cool finish that gave Richard Baillie no chance.

Valley tried desperately to get back on level terms, but their luck was out. With 41 minutes gone a shot from Raymond Hanna slipped from Steven Main’s grasp, but Graham was unable to take advantage.

Main then saved well from Hanna and Johnny Cranston’s (inset) ensuing corner evaded everyone in the box as valley finished the first half on top.

Valley started the second half on the offensive and with four minutes gone the impressive Raymond Hanna forced Steven Main into tipping his improvised effort over the crossbar.

Nine minutes later Philip Main carved the Valley defence open with a piercing pass into Morris, but his strike bounced off the top of the crossbar.

The game entered a sterile period and few chances were created before Johnny Cranston went perilously close to equalising in the 75th minute with a shot from 30 yards out.

Valley were unable to break down a stoic Ballyvea defence in the latter stages of the game and with the 90 minutes up Philip Main killed them off when he curled in a beauty of a free kick to make it 2-0.

Ballyvea: S. Main, M. Johnston, K. Hanna, D. McConnell, C. Jones, B. White, C. Frazer, P. Main, M. Burden, M. McConnell, D. Morris. Subs: P. Chambers, T. Johnston, M. Haugh.

Valley Rangers: R. Baillie, Steven Patterson, W. Charleton, A. McCloy, Stuart Patterson, R. Hanna, R. Stevenson, J. Cranston, R. Graham, A. Irvine, K. Porter. Subs: C. McKee, J. McCulla, W. Forsythe.

Result: Ballyvea 2 Valley Rangers 0