Manley makes certain for Mills

Manley makes certain for Mills

24 September 2014

DRUMANESS Mills set up a third round clash with Bryansburn Rangers after seeing off Larne Tech at Meadowvale.

The first chance fell to the home side when Adam Neale put through McQuoid, who got past the defender and crossed only to see Stefan Mason shoot wide.

Soon after Rory Mason was forced into a defensive header, but the ball fell to the Larne attacker and he volleyed wide.

Larne were becoming more adventurous and their centre forward made a good run through the middle before forcing Keenan into a great save as he pushed the shot round the post.

From the resultant corner kick the centre half had a free header, but put it wide when he really should have scored.

McEvoy was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the line, having beaten the ‘keeper out wide only to see the full back get back in time to clear.

McEvoy then turned provider and his cross from the line was sent wide by McQuoid.

The home side were stunned when the Larne centre forward forced Keenan into a magnificent save.

The ball was heading for the top corner of the net and Keenan launched himself into the air and somehow managed to scramble it away.

However, the home defence did not react as well and the rebound was slotted home to put the visitors ahead.

With half-time fast approaching McQuoid sent a ball over the top of the defence which found Stefan Mason and he beat two defenders, got to the line and crossed for Neale, who had the easiest off tap-ins to bring the sides level.

The Mills came out much more positive in the second half and Rory Mason sent in a good cross that was met by McConnell, who put his header wide.

Paul Greener put a ball over the top of the defence and found Stefan Mason, but he shot wide. Larne went close when a looping header was scrambled off the line by the excellent work of ‘keeper Keenan.

McQuoid sent a defence-splitting pass to Neale, who had beat en the offside trap and he made no mistake when slotting home his and the Mills’ second goal of the afternoon.

Almost from the restart the Mills defence was caught out. The centre forward received a good ball 30 yards, out but still had a lot to do. He ran straight past the two Mills defenders and slotted in the equaliser past Keenan.

The Mills were stung into action and a run and pass from McEvoy found Stefan Mason, whose wonder strike from the right had edge of the box found the top left hand corner of the net to put the Mills 3-2 ahead.

This was Mason’s fifth goal in three games. He was then substituted and his replacement, Colin Manley, was immediately into the action.

Wright, who had replaced Savage, made a good run down the right wing, found Manley 20 yards out from goal and he scored a magnificent shot low into the bottom corner.

Drumaness Mills: S. Keenan, M. Savage, R. Mason, G. Morrison, P. Greener, D. McConnell, G. McEvoy, S. McQuoid, A. Neale, S. Rogan, S. Mason. Subs: O. Wright, C. Manley, J. McGivern.

Drumaness Mills 4

Larne Tech Old Boys 2

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