Key victories for Dergview and Mallards as three see red

DERGVIEW bounced back from defeat to Annagh United the weekend before last with a thrilling 2-1 victory over second-placed Ards at Clandeboye Park on Friday night.

Two superbly-constructed and clinically-executed goals by Pat Loughery and Niall McGinley did the trick in securing Dergview’s seventh win of the season.

Loughery opened the scoring by getting on the end of a free flowing attack the length of the field and McGinley popped up with the winner just a minute from time, that after TJ McMurray had the sides level at the interval.

In the midst of all that three players saw red. Loughery and Ruairi O’Hare were both dismissed by referee Barry Monaghan following a scuffle early in the second half and with just seven minutes remaining Eamon Scannell also received his marching orders for a second yellow.

With the contest tied at 1-1, it was at that stage that Dergview boss Tommy Canning demanded his team go and win the game which they duly did with McGinley netting the all-important winner.

If anything Ards, without a win in five games, shaded the verdict in the opening exchanges and the visitors survived a massive scramble in their box.

But with 14 minutes on the clock Dergview struck with devastating effect. Jamie Browne won possession on the right, Cathal Farren got away from his marker and switched the point of attack by finding Loughery on the left. Loughery fed the ball to the overlapping Garth Falconer and continued his run into the box to receive the return pass and hammer the ball into the roof of the net.

That thrilling passage of play rocked the hosts however John Baillie’s side were back on terms on 26 minutes. The visitors struggled to deal with a free kick into the danger area and Murray was on hand to apply the finish.

RIGHT AT THE DEATH

There was little incident for the remainder of the half but early in the second half tempers boiled over and Loughery and O’Hare were sent for an early bath following an altercation.

Ards attacker Patrick Cafolla then cannoned a 25-yard shot against Alan Buchanan’s crossbar while at the other end visiting striker Benny Igiehon failed to make the most of a free header.

But with just seven minutes remaining the game swung in Dergview’s favour when Scannell received a second yellow for chopping down Browne.

That handed the initiative to the visitors and they grabbed it with both hands right at the death.

A sweeping move which began with Falconer and Matty Buchanan saw the ball break off a challenge by Browne. Kieran Farren played a clever first time ball inside to McGinley who ushered Igiehon down the right channel. The midfielder continued his run and when Igiehon cut the ball back into his path McGinley met it first time to fire the ball low under the legs of Brian Neeson.

WITHIN A WHISKER

Ballinamallard United have meanwhile moved up to third after defender Ryan Morris scored the decisive goal against Ballycalre Comrades at Ferney Park.

Morris headed home from a corner in the first half and that was all that separated the sides at the final whistle.

Dergview’s surprise 2-1 victory at Ards on Friday evening gave the Mallards added incentive going into the game against Comrades and Harry McConkey’s men and Loughgall United both took advantage to leapfrog John Baillie’s team.

The Ducks and Loughgall are now both on 30 points, six behind leaders Newry City who were 2-0 winners at Knockbreda.

This year’s second tier is extremely competitive and with 17 games completed just six points currently separates second from ninth.
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Against the Comrades match-winner Morris struck just after the half hour mark with a header from a corner in off visiting keeper Richard Purcell.

It had been a keenly fought encounter up to that point with Ducks striker BJ Banda and visiting attacker Liam McKenna coming close with efforts at either end during the opening exchanges.

The Mallards enjoyed periods of possession as the first half progressed but too often the final ball let them down while Ballyclare had penalty claims waved away after Joe Tully was pulled down inside the box.

After the break Lee McCune forced Mallards keeper into an early save before the visitors were denied by a goal line Aaron Arkinson clearance.

Morris came close to doubling Ballinamallard’s lead on 72 minutes only to skim the ball past an upright, and Ballyclare came within a whisker of the equaliser when Matthew Herron rattled the crossbar with his effort.