Attitude pleases McGrath in 'Law win
Editorial Department • Published 16 Feb 2012 13:00
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Churchtown 0; Lisbellaw United 2;
Lisbellaw United claimed the points from their encounter with Churchtown at Mitchell Park, Castlederg on Saturday with a 2-0 victory that keeps them snapping at the heals of Enniskillen Town in what has the ever-increasing look of a two horse race for the Mercer League title.
Town may currently hold the upperhand in the race having built up a seven point lead at the top of the table, but Lisbellaw still have their own destiny in their hands as they have four games in hand on their title rivals as James McGrath's side look to make it three in a row.
"We were happy to come away with another three points, that's what it was all about," said McGrath after his side's win over Churchtown. "It was very difficult conditions to play in but I thought that the boys worked hard. They pushed forward right from the start and the attitude was good throughout."
The 'Law enjoyed plenty of the ball in the early stages of the game as they forced a number of corners in the opening minutes although they did not threaten the home goalkeeper, Christopher Catterson.
However, the pressure was to twell in the 12th minute as the away side broke the deadlock. The impressive Chris Crilly raced on to a loose ball and drove forward into the penalty box.
He then fired the ball across the goal in the direction of Ricky Carroll only for Churchtown defender Stefan Deery to turn the ball past his own goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.
And Lisbellaw went on to create a number of good chances with Davy Little rattling the underside of the crossbar having cut in from the right to fire in a long range effort while Ricky Carroll should have scored from the rebound but his tame header was easily gathered as Churchtown held on.
Further opportunities fell the way of the reigning champions as Paul McGrath fizzing a shot over the bar while Kyle McCleery headed wide when well positioned.
Little and Keith McGowan then had efforts that failed to find the target as Deery's own goal continued to separate the sides at the break.
When still only a goal down, Churchtown remained right in contention and they started the second half more brightly.
Indeed, following a sustained period of pressure Peter O'Connell was inches away from equalising for the home side, his powerful drive from the edge of the box beating William McFrederick in the Lisbellaw goal all hands down only to crash off the woodwork.
Lisbellaw, though, were to relieve any tension that may have been building as they struck for their second goal within two minutes of O'Connell hitting the post.
A long ball out of defence from Ian Veitch was picked up by Ricky Carroll who raced in on goal before calmly lifting his effort over Catterson to register his 11th goal of the campaign and double the away side's advantage.
Lisbellaw had a couple of chances to add to the lead in the latter stages of the game but Catterason saved well from Carroll after good work from Crilly and the netminder then denied Paul McGrath.
In the end though it was another game overcome with the three points in the bag for Lisbellaw who will now host Dergview Reserves on Saturday.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Feb 12
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