As per usual with these two teams this wasn’t a game for the faint hearted, both sides gave their all and at the end of extra time it was the visitors who emerged victorious, but it was very tight.
Portaferry came out all guns blazing and had Castlewellan largely pinned back in their own half for the first 15 minutes, they missed several good opportunities to score but last ditch defending and some wayward finishing frustrated them. Exchanges were keen to say the least and several players entered the refs book with one or two lucky to stay on the field. Somewhat against the run of play the town took the lead on 25 minutes when an excellent through ball from Dean Anderson sprung the ports offside trap and Barry Travers raced through to finished confidently. This gave Castlewellan fresh impetus and they came more into the game. Both sides had chances but with defences so much on top it became clear that something special would be required if another goal was to be scored.
The second half continued in a similar vein with no let up in the action, Rory Burns pulled off a couple of outstanding saves as Portaferry turned the screw. At the other end Anderson and Keown both spurned very scoreable chances. As the half progressed Ports midfielder Milligan was having an increasing influence on proceedings and you had the feeling that it was only a matter of time before they levelled. They were getting increasingly desperate however and with 15 minutes remaining an ugly incident occurred that really put Castlewellan off their stride. Portaferry’s number 7 flung the ball into Niall Toner’s face as he was getting ready to take a throw. Strangely the referee didn’t even speak to the culprit. With feelings running high the number 7 headbutted Niall as they were exchanging pleasantries in midfield resulting in a bit of a free for all. When the ref got everyone separated he sent off Niall Toner for pushing but the real culprit got away scot free, the ref saying that he only saw the push not the headbutt. At this point Portaferry subbed their number 7 which was definitely the right decision as I doubt if the match would have finished otherwise.
When play restarted Castlewellan were clearly feeling aggrieved and let their guard slip in the 80th minute when a right wing cross eluded everyone and the ball was gleefully slammed home. Several chances went abegging at both ends before the 90 minutes were up.
Portaferry took the lead in the first period of extra time . 10 man Castlewellan gave everything but the extra man was beginning to tell. In the second half both teams had chances, the best of these falling to the town who missed from inside the 6 yard box twice in the very final minute.
Not many local games will equal this one for sheer intensity, it was so tight with two very committed sides giving everything – just a pity it was spoiled by an act of thuggery.
