14/01/2006
Lisnafillan Swifts 2 - 2 Shore Wanderers
Lisnafillan failed to capitalise on Glenarm's first dropped points of the season, drawing at home to a much improved Shore Wanderers team.
Shore have dipped into the transfer market and strengthened their defence with Castletown stalwart "Raj" Gailbraith whose experience has greatly steadied the ship.
Lisnafillan started lively having been inactive for almost a month and were unlucky when Rodney Beggs' early shot from midfield left the Shore keeper rooted to the spot only to fire off target. The home team looked comfortable and were stroking the ball around the pitch, playing very attractive football, without making the final penetration. Again Beggs, Murray and McQuoid were off target before Shore snatched an excellent goal against the run of play. Their speedy striker latched onto a long clearance which evaded the Lisnafillan defence and placed his shot, low and beyond helpless 'keeper, Roy Calderwood.
This spurred Shore on and their midfield began to pick up the scraps around the centre circle, feeding their wide men well without really creating any notable chances. Lisnafillan's play became ragged and was not helped by a ridiculous decision from the referee who had a terrible day in charge. Simon Workman brought down Shore's left winger outside the 18yard box and the ref immediately awarded a penalty from all of thirty yards away. Shore gratefully snatched up the ball and despatched their gift, giving them a 2-0 lead going into the break.
Half-time: 0-2
A more determined Lisnafillan began the second half and began to take a hold of the game. Phil Alexander came on for the under par Russell Craig, and immediately increased the attacking impetus of the home team.
Rodney Beggs came close to clawing a goal back but was again off target and the Swifts were again aggrieved by the ref when William Crockard broke free down the right wing. Crockard got beyond the defence and was cynically hacked down in a professional foul by the Shore 'keeper in a copycat position from where Shore had been awarded a penalty in the first half. Ref's decision, a yellow for the 'keeper and a free kick. Lisnafillan did pull a goal back from the spot however. Chris McQuoid left the ref in no doubt when he was fouled well inside the penalty box and about to pull the trigger. Swifts top goalscorer, Simon Murray kept up his goal a game ratio when he despatched the penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
Shore continually frustrated Lisnafillan with last gasp defending, clearing off the line, but not quite so much as by the referee. He further infuriated the home team when he reduced them to 10 men by dismissing Richard Young after a nothing foul just inside the Swifts half near the side-line. A frustrated Young was sent for his "attitude". This strenghtened Lisnafillan's mettle and pushed them on to salvage something from the tie.
William Crockard, who had been a constant threat, again broke free of his marker and stormed into the box to calmly place his shot past the Shore 'keeper who had stayed on his line on this occasion. This equaliser came just a little too late for the home team to try and win the tie but in the circumstances was an excellent result for the Swifts who stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Full-time: 2-2
