Strangford’s race for promotion is all over

13 January 2016

NIALL Hynds’ sublime last minute equaliser at Bear Park wasn’t enough to prevent Strangford’s lingering promotion hopes from finally floating down the Swanee.

This draw, their third of the campaign, leaves Strangford in sixth place, six points behind second-placed Carryduff Athletic, who have also played a game less and elevation

back up the ranks now seems out of the question for John Beattie’s side.

Strangford started promisingly and with seven minutes gone Conan Hynds ghosted in behind a faltering Tollymore back line to make the breakthrough with a tidy finish.

Seven minutes later Eoin King was denied Strangford’s second goal when ‘keeper Marty Rice was off his line in a flash to avert the danger.

Strangford continued to pose early problems for Tollymore, but Donny Rice and Dee Milligan quickly got to grips with a now subdued Conan Hynds, King and Eoin Curran.

Tollymore began to carve out chances for themselves with Anthony McMullan bombing up and down the left flank with menace and with 15 minutes gone his enterprise created an opening for Ryan Valentine.

Alas, Valentine was halted unceremoniously in his tracks by Chris Deegan, but no penalty was given.

Four minutes later at the other end Niall Hynds worked his way down the right flank before crossing into the box. James Hanna, who had popped up from nowhere, got his head on the cross, but his effort cashed off the crossbar.

With 28 minutes gone a Jack Strain free kick tested Strangford ‘keeper Louis McMullan, but he was up to the task before the visitors survived a hectic goalmouth scramble with Hanna on hand to clear the ball to safety.

You wouldn’t have thought Tollymore were still looking for their first win of the season as they gave more than they got with McMullan, Shane Kearney, Johnny Hall and Conor McLister working their cotton socks off in a bid to disrupt Strangford.

The to and fro nature of the game continued with Rice producing a superb covering tackle to halt King as he went to pull the trigger inside the six yard box.

The second half was played at a much slower tempo with Tollymore getting stronger and stronger. There is no question that their cause was helped by Strangford’s Conan Hynds getting himself red carded for an off the ball incident in front of the referee.

Tollymore now had the bit between their teeth and Hall blasted over before Donny Ritchie headed a Russell Swail free kick wide of the target at the other end.

The game seemed destined for a 1-1 draw, but with 83 minutes gone a speculative shot from man of the match McMullan deflected off Niall Hynds and flew past Louis McMullan for the equaliser.

Hall then fired one inches wide, but Tollymore were on a roll and with three minutes remaining Milligan, who was now playing up top, worked the ball into the box and cleverly put the ball on a plate for Jack Strain to make it 2-1.

Milligan had an effort cleared off the line a minute later and Paul McGrady blocked an Eoin Curran blockbuster at the other end as the game finished with a flurry of attacks.

Strangford weren’t for going home empty handed and with three minutes of added time played, Hynds linked up superbly with Eoin Curran before drilling in a beauty from just inside the box.

Tollymore Forest: M Rice, J Strain, A McMullan, D Rice, D Milligan, S Strain, J Hall, C McLister, R Valentine, S Kearney, M McCormick. Subs: P McGrady, D McAleese, C Allister.

Strangford: L McMullan, C Shields, J Hanna, C Deegan, J Hanvey, N Hynds, E Curran, D Ritchie, E King, C Hynds, R Swail. Subs: P Hynds, C Magee, L Reilly.

Tollymore Forest 2

Strangford 2

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE DIVISION 2

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