On the face of it this might seem to have been an easy enough win for the Dalzell Cup winners, but nothing could be further from the truth. Only for stellar displays from Ruiari McArdle and Mickey Watson (pictured) in the first half things could have been different. The town realised this would be a crucial game if they were to retain the league title but they were put on the back foot from the word go by a slick moving and fired up Rovers. The home side must have thought they had taken the lead on 13 minutes when a 25 yard free kick was arrowing for the top corner but Watson somehow managed to claw the ball over the bar. Five minutes later he made an even better stop when he got down low to deny a Rovers forward from 8 yards, in between times McDowell in the home goals produced an excellent save of his own to deny McKibben as the town broke quickly.
It was Liam McKibben who gave Castlewellan the lead after 26 minutes when he was put through by the persistent Nial Toner, Liam rounded the keeper and netted with assistance from the post and a Rovers defender. (After a hastily arranged meeting of the dubious goals committee it was decided to credit Liam with the score). The goal was somewhat against the run of play but it gave the town the boost they required and they enjoyed a period of dominance during which they went further ahead when McKibben was pulled down in the area and Paddy Keown dispatched the award with the minimum of fuss. 2-0 seemed harsh on the Mourne side but having withstood the initial onslaught Castlewellan grew in confidence and went 3 up after 40 minutes when Keown’s deft touch released Flanagan on the right and his low cross was rifled into the net by Nial Toner, it was an excellent goal and they should have consolidated their lead so close to half time but the home side pulled one back right on the whistle when a right wing cross eluded two Castlewellan defenders leaving even Mickey Watson unable to prevent a goal.
Rovers came out with renewed vigour in the second period seeing plenty of possession. With 52 minutes gone they reduced the arrears with a penalty although Castlewellan were claiming hand ball by a home forward during the build up. The pressure was really being ramped up on the town but they were equal to it and following a deep Steele centre Kelly saw his header well kept out by McDowell. As the half progressed the visitors introduced their substitutes at intervals and all slotted in seamlessly. With 6 minutes to go Castlewellan put the game to bed when two of their subs combined to register a fourth goal. Stevie Trainor set up Dean Anderson and he cleverly dummied a defender allowing him space to shoot home. The town saved their best goal for last however when Watson rolled the ball to Steele at left back who advancing at speed played a one two with McKibben got to the byline and cut the ball back for Keown to hammer home, and that I feel summed up what the difference was between the sides, a cutting edge.
All in all it was an excellent advertisement for the Newcastle League played in poor conditions but well contested and sporting. Certainly Rovers gave the town plenty to think about but when the lads got the ball down and played with width they always looked likely to score and width is something they will need this week as they take on Portavogie from the amateur league in a bid to reach the quarter finals of the Junior Shield. Get out and support the team. Kick off is at 1.30 on Saturday January 12th.
