Ruthless Rogan nips in to grab equaliser in derby clash

12 March 2014

PHILIP Rogan smashed home an 82nd minute equaliser to keep Drumaness in the Amateur League Premier Section title hunt.

Rogan connected with Kevin Duffin’s teasing corner as the Mills’ relentless second half pressure finally wore down Killyleagh at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

Dessie Campbell’s Drumaness side had laid siege on the YC goal in the second half and just when it looked as if it might be one of those days for the league leaders, Rogan finally found a way past Ian Mannus to earn a precious point that could yet prove to be decisive if the Mills are to win the Premier crown for the first time in their first season back in the top flight.

It was an unfamiliar looking home side that took to the field with Mannus again the stand-in goalkeeper, Willie McIlroy making his first start as centre half and a number of other players out of their normal positions as YC manager Stephen Johnston papered over the absence of seven regulars, most of them away on a ‘stag’ weekend.

Remarkably, Killyleagh could have taken the lead, Ryan Montgomery going close to setting the game alight in the first minute.

But Drumaness quickly settled and Nathan Jones produced their first big chance, whipping in a super cross that Mannus did well to get to and hold, ahead of McEvoy in the 12th minute. Next up Jones produced a pacy run and shot that whizzed over.

The lively Montgomery offered some hope with a shot just over Keenan’s bar in the 21st minute, but it was Mannus who was by far the busier ‘keeper, producing a great save to deny Sean McQuoid after Paul Walsh had robbed a YC defender in the 24th minute. From the resulting corner, Dale Davidson did well to head clear with Murdock set to pounce.

At the other end Andy Carberry and Aaron Gilmartin combined but Carberry’s shot lacked power. Killyleagh stunned the visitors in the 34th minute. A Philip Rogan foul was punished in full when Ward’s clearing header bounced in the box, Dale Davidson slammed it home with pace and power to the roof of the net.

Still, the chances came for Drumaness with McQuoid picking out Stevie Rogan, but just as a goal seemed inevitable, Montgomery got in a clearing challenge and then Mannus saved superbly a Duffin free low to his right. When the Mills did threaten McIlroy was outstanding, his head like a magnet attracting the ball when it was in the air in the box.

For all the pressure it was Killyleagh who had the clearest chance of the half. Teenager Aaron Gilmartin, starting only his second full game and playing as leader of the attack, was put through by Carberry, but his lofted chip from the edge of the box over the stranded Keenan skimmed inches over the empty net.

Killyleagh suffered a further blow at the interval when influential skipper McConnell was forced off. What little influence they had on the midfield sector disappeared and for the closing 45 minutes, Drumaness dominated with a string of chances.

It took superb clearances from first Montgomery and then Lee Morrison to keep out the impressive Jones, and then Mannus touched away a Duffin free.

Drumaness’ big chance of the game came on the hour mark. Jones robbed the hard working Jordan Kennedy and set in Sean McQuoid, but his effort spun the wrong side of the post when a goal looked certain.

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