15/10/2005

Westend Athletic 1 - 4 Lisnafillan Swifts

This was always going to be a tough encounter against 4th placed Westend, a good passing team with promotion hopes and some excellent individual talent. Unfortunately the home team's top goalscorer, David Currie, was unavailable due to injury but their front line was led well by Marcus Hanford and ex-Swift, Paul Ritchie.

 The game began at a high tempo with Westend winning the early exchanges, however, as the game settled both midfields cancelled each other out. Ryan Kenny's aerial strength gave Lisnafillan the edge as he started to spray the ball wide, increasingly bringing Trevor McAleese into play on the wing. Lisnafillan pushed forward and won a corner from which Simon Murry was unlucky not to score with Trevor Greer in goal being equal to his shot. Swifts' pressure was to pay off though when, from a long throw, Murry controlled superbly on his chest to make space and placed the ball under the body of Greer in a crowded penalty box. Westend rallied and adopted a more direct style of play which kept the visitors on the back foot although Roy Calderwood in goal was sweeping up comfortably. Westend persisted and drew level within ten minutes when a well weighted lobbed pass from Gary McIlroy landed between Simon Workman and Swifts' 'keeper, Calderwood. As one waited for the other to act Marcus Hanford pounced to drill a difficult chance into goal much against the run of play.

Lisnafillan continued to press with Peter Kernoughan and Ryan Kenny going close although it took an own goal to regain the lead just before half time. A high clearance came down in the Westend box and under heavy pressure from Ryan Kenny, William Cameron in the Westend defence was unfortunate to loop a high flighted header over the head of Greer and into the back of the net.

Half-time: 1-2

Greg Marrs came off the bench for the restart with almost immediate effect. Lisnafillan attacked from the whistle and as Marrs was about to strike the ball he was upended inside the Athletic box to earn a penalty. Simon Murry stepped up and drilled in his second from the spot, sending Greer the wrong way.

The visitors were threatening to take a stranglehold of the match with Trevor McAleese and Rodney Beggs getting forward at every opportunity, perhaps helped by Westend who were forced to adopt a more attacking formation. Lisnafillan looked secure at the back even when Richard Young, who had marshalled the defence superbly, was forced off due to injury, and went on to win the game 4 - 1. Simon Murry completed his hat-trick on his league debut for the club with another superb piece of skill. He collected the ball 25yards out, turned quickly, and placed a perfect chip over the advancing 'keeper. This was a fantastic result for Lisnafillan against a team who had twice held them to a draw in their league ties last year.

Full-time: 1-4