Castlewellan brushed aside Annalong’s challenge with ease on tuesday evening and the 9-2 scoreline should have been even more convincing.
The game was only 3 minutes old when Sean Russell reacted first to steer home number 1 after Ruari McArdle’s long throw had caused panic in the visitor’s defence, 4 minutes later it was 2 when Aidy Burns slide rule pass found Stevie Trainor and he slotted home confidently. Annalong dug in after this and frustrated the town’s efforts, but the inevitable happened after 42 minutes when Trainor scored his second from the edge of the box. Two minutes later it was 4 when a Trainor free kick was headed against the bar by Crilly for Burns to net the rebound.
Half Time 4-0
Trainor notched his hatrick in the 48th minute when pure persistence gave him a clear opportunity. With an hour gone Donal McKibben – who doesn’t do unspectacular, blasted home from 25 yards. Trainor made it 7 after 63 minutes and Dean Anderson headed an 8th on 68. At this point the Town got careless and what could have been an impressive scoreline went up the left when Annalong scored twice within two minutes through sheer complacency in the home defence. However Aidan Burns notched a ninth after 80 minutes to complete the scoring.
A facile victory, but three points nonetheless and it now sets up an intriguing fixture against Ballyvea this Saturday. Both Shane Mooney and Sean Russell had to retire with knocks but I’d expect both to be fit for the weekend. Hopefully everyone will be available as time is running out to stake a claim on the cup final panel.
