Mills march on in derby

Mills march on in derby

8 October 2014

IT was X-Factor joy for Drumaness when they knocked rivals Killyleagh out of the Irish Cup at The Showgrounds on Saturday.

It was a horror show for Killyleagh which left them with the X-Factor blues as former players Darren McConnell and Adam Neale bagged all three goals to earn Dessie Campbell and Davis Straney’s side a comfortable second round win. 

McConnell and Neale made sure it was a happier return as they avenged the early season league defeat by Hugh Ross’ side at the same venue.

It could and should have been more as Amateur League champions wrapped up the tie within the first 20 minutes, racing into a two goal lead, and then spurning a series of great chances.

It was former Showgrounds’ favourite McConnell who put the Mills ahead with less than 10 minutes played as a porous YC defence was opened once again by the impressive Colin Manley and Marc Feenan, leaving McConnell with a gift of a header.

Rory Mason then turned provider for Manley as Drumaness repeatedly sliced the home side open up the left.

Neale made it 2-0 after 20 minutes. Manley and Feenan combined and played it across the six yards box.

Neale was left unmarked and he took his time to draw Andrew Wallace twice before slotting into the bottom corner.

A poor Killyleagh were being battered and they had a big let off when Feenan hit a thunderous shot that bounced first off the top inside of one post and hit the bottom inside of the other without crossing the line.

The home side finally got a chance when Jamie Morrow raced clear, but with only ‘keeper Campbell to beat, he was unable to hit the target.

At the opposite end McConnell was unlucky not to add a third when he headed inches over from a pinpoint Mason corner and then there was another remarkable let off for Killyleagh when Neale robbed ‘keeper Wallace as he tried to control the ball.

The ‘keeper recovered to keep out his shot but when it fell to Manley, he too was somehow denied by the young ‘keeper.

To their credit, Killyleagh improved after the half-time break and for 20 minutes of the second half they created the first four chances of note, but were unable to finish any of them.

Matty Shaw went close with a shot, John Joe Sharvin headed inches over from sub Scott Grieves’ corner and then Dickson thundered over from another Grieves pass.

The YC’s poor day was summed up in the 65th minute. Teenage sub Stefan Lynch zipped in a dangerous cross, but Shaw and Grieves were unable to apply a touch, and the Mills went straight down the field to make it 3-0 with their first serious foray into the YC penalty area in this half. Wallace completely misjudged Mason’s corner and McConnell gratefully accepted the gift at the back post.

After this, the missed chances continued at both ends with Dickson miskicking after creating an opening for himself, while Feenan was inches wide with a clever lob shot.

Killyleagh had one final chance in the 76th minute when John Murray raced through and Campbell made a superb fingertip save from his lobbed effort from the edge of the area.

Drumaness had the luxury of giving the full squad a run out and they were the only team that looked like scoring with Mason impressing with his raids from the back.

Substitute Sean McQuoid chipped over the bar when through in the 88th minute before Wallace made an outstanding save to deny the industrious Gavin McEvoy almost on the final whistle.

Killyleagh: Andrew Wallace, Gary Murray, Johnny Murray, Jordan Kennedy, Jonathan Sharvin, Matty Shaw, Jamie Morrow, Danny Morgan, John Murray, Hugh Dickson, Aaron Carberry. Subs: Stefan Lynch, Scott Grieves, Brian Strain.

Drumaness: Ryan Campbell, Owen Wright, Rory Mason, Brendan Ward, Glen Morrison, Darren McConnell, Gavin McEvoy, Marc Feenan, Adam Neale, Steven Rogan, Colin Manley. Subs: Sean McQuoid, Stefan Mason, Michael Savage.

Killyleagh YC 0

Drumaness Mills 3

IRISH CUP 2ND ROUND