DUNMURRY REC V ARDS RANGERS
Team: KERR, MCERLEANE, LARMOUR, FENTON, LARKIN, TUMILTY, HEWITT, CAMLIN, WALSH, LEITCH Subs: MCMULLAN, CORR & REDPATH
REC SECURE GOOD POINT AWAY AGAINST LEAGUE LEADERS
Dunmurry Rec travelled to the league leaders knowing they had to get something from the game if they were to stay in the title race. Ricky Rutherford was suspended and after a disappointing result last week Johnstone chose to make 5 changes to the team. John Ansley, Steve McDonnell & Dee McLarnon (injured) were left out while Michael McMullan and Neil Corr were dropped to the bench. New signings Neil Larmour and Steve Leitch (on loan from Glenavon) both started while Kenny Camlin made his first start for almost 8 weeks.
The pitch was in super condition as the game kicked off and the Rec certainly started the better iting into tackles and taking the game to their opponents. Indeed on 4 mins Tumilty released Napier and he got to the bye line but was impeded as he crossed with penalty claims turned away. On 10 mins the Rec took the lead when Camlin gave a reverse pass to release Napier who confidently slotted home past the keeper from 14 yards. A few moments later it was nearly all square when a fierce shot from Ards player all of 30 yards out bounced off the cross bar. But on 18 mins it was all square when lax marking left Ards player alone 10 yards out and he latched on to a lose ball to finish in the corner. The Rec responded well and played some good passing football with new signing Leitch particularly lively. Ards then enjoyed a good spell at the end of the half and on 40 mins a long Ards punt up field saw Larkin get his head to the ball which bounced on the cross bar. Larkin who was doing a good marking job on Ards top scorer Miller, was struggling with an ankle knock and had to be replaced by McMullan.
HT 1-1
The Rec again started brightly and had a great chance to go ahead on 47 mins when a Camlin free kick found Hewitt unmarked at the back post but his shot dropped just wide of the far post. The second half was more open than the first with both teams having spells on top without troubling the keepers. On 70 mins Corr on for Napier almost made an instant impact when on 72 mins Hewitt played him in but the keeper did well to get off his line when a goal seemed certain. On 79 mins Corr chested down a long throw and swivelled well but his shot lacked power and was easily saved. The Rec pushed hard for the winner and inevitably left gaps at the back. On 80 mins Ards got down their right and a dangerous cross went along 6 yards box before being cleared. Then Kerr had to be brave to come out and deal with a bouncing ball. In last 10 mins the Rec saw a penalty shout for a challenge on Hewitt turned down and Leitch shot tamely from 20 yards. On 86 mins Redpath came on for Leitch for the final push and young Redpath nearly won the game at the death when a shot was spilled by the Ards keeper and Redpath shot was well blocked and with the keeper stranded he just couldn’t get the rebound on target.
DUNMURRY REC 1-1 ARDS RANGERS
MANAGERS COMMENTS
I really have to give tremendous credit to the players after a committed performance with some real quality. I made some changes from the last week and to be fair while some players were disappointed they all stuck together. It was a tight game played in a great spirit and while overall a draw was probably about right we are gutted at not taking all 3 points with 2 gilt edge chances late on in the game. It was vital we got something today and the players showed real spirit, determination and confidence to put a lot of pressure on the league leaders on their own patch.
Some really good performances today with new signing Steve Leitch having a lively debut, both Paddy Larkin and then Michael McMullan doing a super job on the leagues top scorer (I think he had 1 shot in 90 mins) and Tumilty again showing real quality on the ball. Man of Match for me was skipper Gary Hewitt who was well fired up for the game, led by example with some big tackles and really drove the team on.
Downpatrick back to back awaits us in the New Year and we look forward to the challenge.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.
