Miller’s hat-trick heroics secure point with ‘Garvey

Miller’s hat-trick heroics secure point with ‘Garvey

6 February 2013 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

SUPPORTERS at this Junior 3 clash literally couldn’t afford to blink as they’d probably miss a goal.

Ballynahinch seconds and Lisnagarvey fifths served up a 10-goal thriller and while it was only a league game, there was a real cup tie atmosphere at St. Colman’s High and Sixth Form College where it literally rained goals.

Play swung from end to end with the game played in a fantastic spirit and while Lisnagarvey grabbed an equaliser right at the death, the game should have been over as Ballynahinch led 5-3 with 10 minutes to go.

But the locals didn’t shut up shop and Lisnagarvey made the most of the opportunity they were presented with. Their fifth goal came from the penalty spot after the final whistle had sounded.

With Ballynahinch’s senior side not in action, the seconds were able to call on Alex Millar, Stuart Hunter and Tim Crean and they had a major impact, with livewire Millar grabbing a hat-trick which included a brilliant finish on the reverse.

Given that they are second from bottom in Junior 3, Ballynahinch wanted to make the most of home advantage, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the seventh minute with a crisp short corner strike which gave ‘keeper Dave Chadwick no chance.

Two minutes later Ballynahinch were level when Millar rifled home after good work by David Bolton and before the visitors knew what hit them, the locals were 2-1 ahead.

Lawrence Patterson’s shot tested the ‘keeper and when the rebound broke inside the penalty area, Hunter smashed it home. But, to their credit, back game Lisnagarvey to equalise.

Play was swinging from end to end and Chadwick and his opposite number were forced to pull off a number of superb saves as home supporters waited to score who would score next.

With just seconds of the half remaining, Ballynahinch made it 3-2. Millar went on a mazy run, side-stepping a number of challenges, before picking out the unmarked Bolton at the back post who tucked the ball home.

With their tails up Ballynahinch maintained a high tempo at the start of the second period and scored again to lead 4-2. The fourth goal was scored by that man Millar with that classic shot on the reverse and minutes later, Hunter, Millar again and Bolton all had chances to put the visitors to the sword but didn’t.

Lisnagarvey made it 4-3 in the 55th minute but with 10 minutes to go, Hunter scored a cracker to give his side a 5-3 lead.

They should have pulled the shutters down at the back but didn’t. Within seconds of Hunter’s goal, the visitors made it 5-4 and were awarded a short corner just as the final whistle sounded.

A forward’s shot struck a Ballynahinch defender on the foot and the umpire rightly awarded a penalty stroke which was converted to secure a point for the visitors.

Final score: Ballynahinch II 5 Lisnagarvey II 5