Despite the crushing news that talented young defender Eoin Moag suffered a broken leg last week, Castlewellan continued their quest for 2C honours with a comprehensive victory over Ravenhill YM on Saturday.
Although not as fluent as in recent weeks the town did enough to secure another 3 points as they progress ever closer to promotion.
Ravenhill arrived on the back of an excellent result against Drumbo the previous week and gave the home side plenty to think about in the early stages. Chances were at a premium until the home side took the lead on 9 minutes when the Young Men were penalised for a handball inside the box. It was hotly contested but the ref stuck to his guns and Castlewellan’s Karl Jarosinski struck home the award with confidence. Ravenhill certainly had plenty of possession in the first half but found the Town defence in miserly mood with Stratton and Corrigan negating anything that came their way. Controversy reared its head after 34 minutes when Davy Gilmore took advantage of slackness in the visitors defence and after sprinting clear shot past the Ravenhill keeper for an excellent finish, however the ball went under the back of the net and finished up beside the corner flag leaving the ref no option but to award a goal kick as he wasn’t certain if the goal had been scored.
Clearly annoyed at this decision the home side upped the ante at the start of the second half and really took the game to Ravenhill. After 47 minutes Gilmore who had an excellent game saw his shot from the edge of the area brilliantly tipped around the post by the agile visiting goalie. From the resulting corner Steele saw his goalbound header cleared off the line as Castlewellan started to turn the screw. Moments later Jarosinski blasted over an open goal as Gilmore yet again carved open the visitors defence It was only a matter of time until the Town secured a second goal and it came via Sean Fitzsimmons who finished off a Travers through ball, the goal had more than a hint of offside about it but was allowed to stand. It should have been three nil two minutes later when a sumptuous free kick from Jason Croskery rebounded off the upright to safety. Jason was narrowly wide shortly after this as the town’s purple patch continued, however on 61 minutes Barry Travers turned home a ‘Rabona’ cross from Jarosinski for a beautiful finish.
Bright young prospect Gareth McKibben came on with 25 minutes to go and made an immediate impact with direct running unsettling the away defence. The home team got a fourth goal after 72 minutes when Flanagan scored from Corrigans long throw although the visitors complained that the ball was already over the line before Colm connected. (Dubious goals committee to decide in the coming week Colm!)
Despite further chances no more goals were scored and the Town will be more than happy with the three points. Ravenhill had enough possession but found the home rearguard in mean mood. So, a satisfying result for the home side who had to start without ace marksman Stevie Trainor but still managed to create plenty of chances and score four goals.
Best on the day for Castlewellan were Steele, Gilmore and Travers. With five games to go honours are still in their own hands.
