No point at point!
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Warrenpoint Town reserves .....4. Rathfriland Swifts. ....2.
Rathfriland Swifts made the short journey to Warrenpoint Town Reserves on Saturday and after the 90 minutes came away with a 4 - 2 defeat in a game that seen no goals until the hour mark with Rathfriland actually taking the lead in the match.
On a wet and slippery surface there was little between the two teams in the first forty five in particular. A lot of the play was in the middle third of the pitch with not too many clear cut chances. On a couple of occasions Ian Weir got to the by line but the finishing touch in the centre was just not there. The Swifts were caught offside more than once but when they did evade it Joe Toal and Niall Fitzpatrick went close. At the other end Warrenpoint were dangerous from the deadball situations in particular but the half time score remained 0 - 0.
Rathfriland actually started the second half the stronger with Joe Toal causing problems for the 'Point defence, Ryan Monaghan`s workrate in centre midfield was superb while Alan Murray and Connell Jackson`s partnership at the centre of defence was strong and solid.
The game really came to life after an hour with Rathfriland taking the lead when Ian Weir centred for Niall Fitzpatrick to neatly tuck the ball into the net however the same player put Joe Toal through to make it 2 - 0 but the striker's shot was saved by the 'keepers' legs - probably a late turning point in the game. Within five minutes the scores were level when a failed clearance allowed the No 8 to curl the ball into the bottom corner.
A second was soon to follow when the home side scored with a another great shot on the turn to make it 2 - 1 after the visitors failed to apply enough pressure on the ball.
A penalty was awarded for Warrenpoint's third goal which they tucked away but Rathfriland pulled a goal back when Miceal Quinn bustled his way through and scored with a well taken shot to make it 3 - 2. The home side restored their two goal advantage when in the dying stages the No 7 scored with a long range low shot.
For seventy minutes of this game Rathfriland matched Warrenpoint all the way and were good value for it. All the goals came late in the game but had Rathfriland`s pressure play been as good in the last twenty they would have had at least taken a point from the game.
TEAM: Derek Curran, Brian Magennis, Colum McComish, Alan Murray, Connell Jackson, David Gilmore, Niall Fitzpatrick, Ryan Monaghan, Conan Power, Joe Toal, Ian Weir.
Subs: Miceal Quinn, Daryl O'Reilly, Gary O'Reilly.
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