12/11/2005

Lisnafillan Swifts 4 - 1 Shore Wanderers

Service resumed as normal for the Swifts as they ran out 4-1 victors over a spirited Shore team in this first round encounter of the Sammy Moore Memorial Trophy.

Lisnafillan started well in the bitterly cold conditions in Ahoghill carving out a few early chances without ever really testing the Shore keeper. The reunited strike partnership of Andy Calderwood and Simon Murry always looked like bearing fruit with their combined strength and mobility, competently supported by a relatively experimental midfield line-up. Indeed the Swifts were missing no less than 4 regulars meaning that a reshuffle of personnel was always likely. One enforced change which proved particularly successful was the utilisation of Trevor McAleese as a central midfielder. The wide man was unfazed by the extra responsibilities and was often the source for much of the Swifts' attacking play.

Lisnafillan opened the scoring through Andy Calderwood who was a constant threat to the Shore defence. Having already created a couple of chances and gone close himself, his hard work was rewarded when he forced a one-on-one opportunity with the visitor's keeper. As he broke clear of the Shore defence there was always going to be one result and he expertly placed the ball past the helpless keeper to earn Swifts the lead.

Lisnafillan looked to be taking control of the tie but it was Shore who scored next, much against the run of play. A comedy of errors in the Swifts' defence left Damien O'Hagan exposed in goal and the Shore right winger was clinical with his finishing, firing home a well placed right foot volley to level the tie. This seemed to spur on Shore who began to fashion a few good moves without ever penetrating the Lisnafillan defence. They were always in danger of being caught on the break with Lisnafillan's pacey forward line although the Shore defence held strong catching the Swifts offside time and again.

Lisnafillan caught a break before half time when they scored from a corner under questionable circumstances. Phil Alexander, in his first full game for the Swifts, latched onto a loose ball in the box and drove it into the arms of the Shore keeper. Unfortunately for him the referee was well placed and adjudged the keeper to be standing behind the goal-line, awarding the goal.

Half-time: 2-1

Lisnafillan began the second half more relaxed, knowing that it was up to Shore to break them down. Unfortunately they can be guilty of "switching off" when things become comfortable and are often guilty of making things more difficult for themselves. During a short spell at the beginning of the half this was just the case as they sat back, playing dangerous square balls across their own 18 yard box which fortunately went unpunished.

   The Swifts always looked better when they went forward with Rodney Beggs and Trevor McAleese providing the ammunition for the front men. Much like the first half Lisnafillan drew saves from the Shore keeper with Andy Calderwood and Russell Craig going close. It was Simon Murry who extended the Lisnafillan lead though with an impressive brace. On both occasions he broke the Shore offside trap and decisively placed the ball beyond the keeper to earn a deserved 4-1 victory for the home team and give a much needed morale boost before the league campaign resumes.

Full-time: 4-1