26/04/2006

Sammy Moore Memorial Trophy

Semi Final 2nd Leg

Glenarm Rovers 3 - 1 Lisnafillan Swifts

Lisnafillan win 7-6 aggregate

Even though Lisnafillan went into this tie with a 3 goal cushion it was obvious that the Division 3 Champions would not lie down in this return fixture.

It was obvious Glenarm were going to throw everything at Lisnafillan from the first whistle as they punted everything forward to their experienced forward Roy Aitken who was well marshalled by Richard Young. Ryan Kenny was commanding as always in the air for the Swifts and they soaked up the early pressure well while hoping to hit the Rovers with a quick break.

The Swifts took the lead from a set piece. George Lynn found Ryan Kenny at the back post whose header seemed to cross the line but as the ball was cleared out to the edge of the box Swifts' Rodney Beggs was quickest to react, smashing the ball into the net.

Just as Lisnafillan seemed to be getting to grips with the game, Jay Russell had to be replaced due to injury and never really got their shape back. Glenarm attacked relentlessly but would not have drawn level had it not been for a defensive lapse when Lisnafillan had three attempts to clear the ball from inside their own 18yard box. Their diminutive striker slipped in to finish an easy chance.

Glenarm deservedly took the lead when they again took advantage of indecision in the Lisnafillan back line. This time the Glenarm attacker arrived at the back post and smashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out.

Half-time: 2-1

Lisnafillan were forced to defend for most of the second half especially after Cyril McCosh scored an excellent header 10 minutes after the restart to put Glenarm within a goal of aggregate equality.

George Lynn dropped into a more defensive position to shore up the Swifts' tiring midfield. This effectively meant that Lisnafillan lost any attacking impetus especially after Ryan Kenny was forced to retire soon after through injury.

The remainder of the tie proved to be a defending exercise for the visiting team as Glenarm forced their point, although as the game neared its completion Lisnafillan found an outlet clearing towards the far corners where their front men could run the clock down.

Full-time: 3-1

This tie was definitely one of two games. One in which Lisnafillan dominated and should possibly have come away with a 6-1 score line, and this tie in which Lisnafillan started to show a few weary legs after a long league and cup campaign this season. Hopefully these two teams can go on to continue their healthy rivalry next season in the second division.