Bobby Dalzell Cup holders Castlewellan progressed through to a quarter final meeting with Ballyvea after this bruising encounter, games between ‘Gross and the town are never for the faint hearted but this one was particularly frenetic. The narrow confines of the home pitch made expansive football difficult although both teams should be commended for their efforts under the conditions.
Ballynagross started in whirlwind fashion and had the towns defence stretched without creating any clear chances. Once Castlewellan’s backline settled though their goalkeeper Rory Burns was seldom troubled. The town took the lead on 14 minutes when Daniel Morgan forced a good diving save from McAllister but he spilled the ball and as ever the predatory Stevie Trainor was there to tuck the loose ball home. Ballynagross responded and minutes later after a mazy dribble down the left Stevie Galbraith shot wildly over when wide but reasonably well placed. After half an hour the same player forced a good stop from Burns following a free kick 20 yards out. Despite the best efforts of the combative Richie Fryer the town were beginning to exert more influence in midfield and Aidan Burns provided two good crosses that just evaded the lurking Trainor and Morgan. Both defences held out until half time and everyone, spectators included were perhaps glad of the break to catch their breath!
The second half continued in similar vein with some tackles borderline to say the least. Controversy reared it’s head after 63 minutes when the home team were awarded a penalty, John Clarke was adjudged to have brought down a ‘gross forward in the area. The Castlewellan defender protested that there was no contact and the forward had gone down too easily whilst at the other side of the pitch the home support were baying for a red card to be shown. A penalty it was however but the home team wasted the award when the kick was blasted wide. Soon after Castlewellan lost both Burns and McKibben to injury and introduced Stevie Kearney and Polish debutant Karol Jarosinski. Tackles continued to fly in and referee Deegans did well to keep a lid on the situation. The holders ultimately put the game to bed on 77 minutes when an exchange between Russell and Kearney released Jarosiniski, he strode forward breezed past centre half Gracey and confidently slotted past McAllister to make it 2-0. The young Polish forward’s pace was scaring the life out of the home defence and more than once he was ‘taken out’ but found himself going into the referees notebook! Ballynagross weren’t finished and pressed at every opportunity but found the town’s defence impenetrable, Travers and Corrigan protecting the wings particularly well. With 85 minutes gone the home side were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Douglas’s effort was heading for the top corner but Burns made a tremendous save to keep the pressure off. A further free was wasted moments later and really with that went any hopes of Ballynagross getting back in the game. The homesters had a man sent off on 90 minutes to add to their woes. The referee played a full 10 minutes of injury time which failed to produce any more scoring opportunities.
Not bad for a ‘Long ball’ team!!!!
Ultimately Castlewellan deserved their win, they created more kept their shape well and their discipline. The name on everyone’s lips (or those whose lips could cope with it) was Karol Jarosinski have the town unearthed a new star?
