17/12/2005

Lisnafillan Swifts 2 - 1 Westend Athletic

This is the second time this season that these two teams have met and although the outcome was the same it was a much closer encounter at the showgrounds

Unfortunately Westend suffered an early blow when they lost their influential Captain, Marcus Hanford, to a nasty head injury which required hospital attention. Until that point the away team had been dominating most midfield encounters although creating very few chances.

Lisnafillan edged possession in the first half and deserved their lead by half time. Robert Andrews’ movement up front kept the Athletic defence on their toes, but it wasn’t until his strike partner, Simon Murray, found a bit of space on the edge of the area that Lisnafillan opened the scoring. Chris McQuoid working tirelessly down the left, created the chance when he ran onto a well placed pass out of defence from Richard Young. He laid the ball inside to Murray who played a neat one-two with the winger. Murray turned inside with the ball, beating his marker and finished well into the bottom left hand corner of the net with his weaker right foot.

As in past games this seemed to be the point at which Lisnafillan 'switched off'. The home team seemed content to sit back, breaking up Westend attacks as required without ever getting forward themselves to make the tie safe. Westend’s Gary McIroy was a constant thorn in the Swifts’ side and had he had support further up the pitch would surely have created a goal scoring opportunity before the half time whistle.

Half-time: 1-0

Westend began brightly in the second half seeing that the game was not beyond them. Again McIlroy pushed forward well but the Swifts’ defence was equal to the pressure. Athletic did pull the tie level however, and from the most unlikely of sources. Nigel Small got forward well from his left back position and surprised Swifts’ ’keeper, Roy Calderwood with a snatch shot from 20yards. The ball fizzed along the ground, through a crowded penalty box and just inside the far upright.

Westend continued to press and were in danger of being caught on the counter attack were it not for Willy Cameron who marshalled his defence excellently. Swifts’ striker Rab Andrews was unlucky on two occasions when through on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat, but miss of the game must go to Lisnafillan midfielder, Greg Marrs who weakly shot into the arms of the Westend goalkeeper with the whole net to aim at.

A draw seemed inevitable with time running out until Lisnafillan were awarded a free kick inside their own half for what seemed to be an innocuous tackle. Ryan Kenny lifted a high ball over the Westend defence, down the left channel which Chris McQuoid latched onto inside the penalty box. He controlled well and powered his shot beyond the reach of the outstretched ‘keeper to wrap up the tie for Lisnafillan.

Westend deserved more for their performance but Lisnafillan will be glad to keep in touch with runaway leaders Glenarm. They retained their 100% record with a good home win against Castle Knights who now drop to the foot of the table as Shore Wanderers picked up only their second win of the season at home to Carnlough.

Full-time: 2-1