McCavera kills off Ardglass

McCavera kills off Ardglass

20 November 2013

BALLYNAGROSS booked their spot in the semi-finals of the ClubSport NI Bobby Dalzell Cup after an enthralling match against Ardglass Swifts.

A goal deep into stoppage time from Donal McCavera secured their place while leaving the home side heartbroken.

Ardglass could have been a goal up inside two minutes when Crangle released BJ McMenamin down the right channel in on goal, but Stephen Sloan came across to get the slightest touch as the striker went to shoot.

The resulting corner was cleared to Matthew Rooney, whose long range effort was tipped away by McAllister.

There was another opportunity for Ardglass on 19 minutes when Beattie worked space down the right for McMenamin, who whipped in a delightful ball that went right across the face of the goal and eluded everyone.

The home side was certainly on top and it wasn’t until the 30th minute before Ballynagross created a chance. Ryan Burns tried his luck from 25 yards, but his effort went straight at Milligan. Three minutes later, a Jason Dagens free kick went through the Ardglass wall, but a yard wide of the far post.

It seemed both teams were going to come in to half time all square but in the fifth minute of injury time a loose ball was picked up by McMenamin and he made no mistake from 10 yards to give his side a deserved lead. There wasn’t even time to take the restart as the ref blew for half time.

The ‘Gross started the second half much better, with Ritchie Fryer coming close on 49 minutes. A good move involving Gavin and Michael Burns resulted in the ball finding its way to Fryer, who shot inches wide from 18 yards.

On 55 minutes the visitors got back on level terms. A corner was whipped in and Ryan Burns poked homed from close range.

Ballynagross were certainly dominating possession at this stage and the home side were grateful to their goalkeeper for keeping them level with two fine saves.

On the hour mark, McGrady clipped in a free-kick from 30 yards and Dagens’ header from just inside the area looked like it was going into the top corner, but Milligan produced a good save to tip it away for a corner.

On 75 minutes came a wonderful save from McAllister. McMenamin found himself free 18 yards out and struck a sweet shot that seemed destined for the top right hand corner, but the Gross shot stopper somehow managed to get his hand to it and palm the ball away.

Both Gross substitutes were causing havoc, with 16 year-old John Shields impressive in his role. Some of his runs and dribbling were a pleasure to watch. Indeed, one of those mazy runs almost led to Ballynagross taking the lead. On 82 minutes, Shields beat two markers before crossing an inch-perfect ball for Dagens, who headed agonisingly wide.

Just as it seemed we were destined for extra time, in the fourth minute of injury time a delightful ball from Dagens split the Ardglass defence in two and found McCavera, who kept his nerve to side foot past Milligan and send the Ballynagross into the semi-finals.

There was still time for Barry Kearney to receive his marching orders for having too much to say to the referee, but it was a fantastic game and always cruel to have a loser in such an enthralling match.

Ballynagross: C. McAllister, C. Laverty, K. Johnston, S. Sloan, D. McGrady, M. O’Shea, M. Burns, R. Fryer, J. Dagens, R. Burns, G. Burns. Subs: M. Teggart, D. McCavera, J. Shields.

Match sponsor: Joe Mulholland Solicitors

Ardglass Swifts 1

Ballynagross 2

BOBBY DALZELL CUP QUARTER-FINAL