CASTLEWELLAN opened their Premier campaign with a scrappy 3-2 victory over last year’s Division One champions Saintfield AYC but both sides will have to do better than this if they are to be involved in this season’s battle for silverware.
True, both teams were under strength but it was alarming the way the Town let AYC back into the game despite going two up within nine minutes.
Castlewellan could hardly have wished for a better start when, after three minutes, a quickly taken free kick from Dean Anderson released Sean Ladd and despite the attentions of two defenders, Sean coolly slotted home.
The home side showed plenty of hunger early on and it came as no surprise when, in the ninth minute, last year’s Young Player of the Year, Colm Flanagan, popped up late to finish to the net when a long throw wasn’t cleared.
Although in complete control, Castlewellan dropped their guard and one could see that they thought that the job was done. Saintfield had other ideas and made several forays into home territory. They got their reward in the 20th minute when, following a move down the right, a cut-back was finished confidently by David Graham.
Moments later AYC missed a sitter following another incisive move. They didn’t have long to wait for their equaliser though as referee Taggart gave them a penalty for hand ball. It was a very harsh decision. Yes, certainly the ball did appear to hit a Town defender on the hand but there was precious little he could have done about it, the ball having been driven at him from close range. Saintfield’s Ruairi McGrillen dispatched the award and Ward found himself booked for his protests.
What was pleasing for the home side was the way they knuckled down again and within three minutes of the equaliser Dean Anderson headed them back in front. There could and probably should have been a fourth when Niall Toner took the ball through the visitors’ defence and rounded the keeper but from a tight angle he could only watch his effort hit the post and roll to safety.
Compared to the first period, the second half turned into a dour midfield battle with the strong wind and hard ground not conducive to flowing football. Both teams had their chances but in the end the Town just hung on in a nervy opening game.
Not the prettiest game ever but the Castlewellan management will be happy with the three points.
Saintfield, on the other hand, shouldn’t be too disappointed as they have some useful players and will get their share of points as the season progresses.
