10/04/2006

Lisnafillan Swifts 4 - 1 Castle Knights

Having not been in league action for over six weeks, and having dropped into third place in the league table, Lisnafillan could have felt some pressure going into this tie. However, it turned out to be just the tonic to spur the Swifts on to a great performance against bottom of the table Castle Knights.

This game gave the Swifts the opportunity to ease long term absentees, Trevor McAleese and Rab Andrews into action as well as test out their emerging young players Simon Brown and Russell Craig who both acquitted themselves very well.

Lisnafillan found themselves confronted by a Castle team who exploded out of the blocks, throwing everything into attack. The home team seemed to be comfortably soaking this up until an unfortunate own goal gave the Knights an unexpected lead. The Castle Knights striker, who seemed to be following shoot on sight orders, unleashed a powerful drive from 25yards out. Roy Calderwod in nets had set himself to comfortably catch the strike, until it took a wicked deflection off a defender's shin, sending the ball into the roof of the net and beyond the reach of the helpless Calderwood.

Unperturbed, the Swifts settled back into their passing football, although now they pushed hard for an equaliser. Greg Marrs commanded the midfield, constantly finding the attacking players with an impressive range of passing. Simon Brown too showed that his game is not all about skill, winning tackle after tackle as the Swifts got a grip on the game.

Lisnafillan's pressure earned them a string of corners and George Lynn's excellent delivery was causing Castle Knights real problems. Rab Andrews latched onto one of Lynn's crosses but was unlucky to have his goal bound header cleared off the line by a Knights defender. It was Greg Marrs who was first to prosper from one such corner when the ball fell to him inside the six yard box and he coolly placed it past the 'keeper to level the tie.

It was much the same from the restart, with Simon Murray going close from open play before he too scored from a George Lynn corner, heading powerfully into the far top corner of the net.

Half-time: 2-1

Lisnafillan introduced two of their regulars after the break, bolstering an already strong line-up. Ryan Kenny and Chris McQuoid slotted into the defence freeing George Lynn into midfield. He picked out Greg Marrs in space who gratefully finished his second goal of the night to give the Swifts a 3-1 lead within 10 minutes of the restart.

Trevor McAleese came on at this point for only his second appearance in seven weeks after returning from injury. His speed immediately proved to be too much for his marker as he forced the visitors defence onto the back foot every time he got the ball. He earned the Swifts a few more corners and was unlucky himself not to score from one when he fired wide at the back post. Shortly afterwards Ryan Kenny too headed wide from another corner, which he did well to get onto, considering how closely he was marked.

It was up to George Lynn to wrap up the tie with an excellent solo effort. He received the ball at full pace on the half way line and broke through the heart of the Castle Knights defence. He was one-on-one with the Knights 'keeper and coolly rounded him before firing into the open goal to round off a good night for Lisnafillan.

Full-time: 4-1