22/10/2005

Lisnafillan Swifts 1 - 2 Grange Rangers

This Junior shield 1st Round tie was always going to be an uphill struggle for Lisnafillan who were drawn against amateur league Division 2b front runners Grange Rangers. Both teams sit at the summit of their respective divisions with unblemished records but are literally leagues apart.

Lisnafillan set their stall out early, inviting Grange to try and break down their solid defence whilst hitting early on the break. The Rangers adopted a more probing tactic with steady build up from the back working the ball wide and relying on their wingers to deliver the telling cross.

Both teams settled quickly and for most of the first half equalled each other in every part of the pitch. Trevor McAleese and Simon Murry looked most dangerous from open play when the Swifts attacked although due to the team's mostly defensive set up their supply was limited. Grange were very strong aerially and passed the ball well in midfield. Had their final ball been a little more decisive they may well have gone in at the break a goal up. It was Lisnafillan who took the lead though. Defending superbly along the back line they were proving hard to break down with keeper, Roy Calderwood, seldom troubled. His long kicking towards Murry was proving awkward for Rangers to cope with. Murry recieved one such kick which he controlled superbly to Trevor McAleese who sped past his marker only to be tackled as he reached the opposition eighteen yard box and force a corner. Swifts' man of the match, Chris McQuoid curled the ball into the box and onto the head of Ryan Kenny who powered it into the net to put Lisnafillan ahead.

The game was settling into a rut, with Grange persistently trying to break down the Swift's defence but with little joy. Unfortunately for Lisnafillan they were to suffer two set backs in quick succession. Simon Workman suffered a knock but was able to resume play and Richard Young at the heart of the defence landed awkwardly on the soft pitch, twisting his knee and ultimately having to be substituted. Lisnafillan held strong though to half time and looked to be every bit their higher league opposition's equal going into the break.

Half-time: 1-0

Rangers were more urgent in the second half and found an extra body in midfield as Lisnafillan's back line dropped ever deeper to accommodate their enforced defensive change and the increasing attacking impetus of their visitors. Grange's number 10 was getting forward well from midfield and their captain was consistently picking out telling passes for their front line. Still the Swift's defence held tight and was breached only from a set piece. In an almost replica corner to that from which the home side took the lead, Grange drew level. Again their number 10 shook off his marker and raised highest for the inswinging corner to level the tie.

This brought Lisnafillan to life and the game opened up in a sustained 15minute period of "to and fro" football with both defences holding strong. Both teams had their chances, although it was Grange who perhaps carved out the more telling opportunities with excellent movement compared to the more direct style of the Swifts. Both teams continued to equal the other and as the clock ticked on it seemed that the game was destined for extra time until one final piece of excellent wide play from the visitors. On the stroke of full time, Grange conjured a cutting pass from midfield and found themselves in a two on one situation. Their winger unselfishly squared for his striker and although Jay Russell was in attendance he was unfortunate in his positioning and would surely have scored an own goal had he lunged at the ball. The Grange Rangers striker found himself in possession in the box and very calmly finished to win the game 2 -1 for the away team.

Overall this was a performance to be proud of and a good achievement against an in-form team.

Full time: 1-2