IFA Championship Division 2

12th November 2011

It was another beautiful, mild, sunny autumn afternoon for Queen’s visit to Castledawson to play Wakehurst. With Stuart Harper unavailable Matt McManus was back in the starting line up. Paul McDonald played too, after a long layoff with knee problems, replacing the injured Tony Tumelty.

There was much good football in the first half but not many chances. Wakehurst had most of the possession but the goalkeepers had little to do. Queen’s upped the tempo after the break and dominated the second half. Michael Allison was prominent on the right wing and the introduction of fit again Aaron Keenan into the midfield strengthened that area. With 14 minutes left Queen’s pressure finally told. Paddy Donnelly took a short corner on the right to Allison and his fine cross to the far post found the head of McManus who gleefully headed it back across keeper Mayoin and into the net off the far post.

Wakehurst rallied and deep into stoppage time they should have salvaged a point. Right back Roy Colville found himself unmarked 5 yards in front of goal and his header from a left wing free kick came back off the underside of the crossbar. His second attempt then hit the post and bounced into the grateful arms of Gerard Duff.

This was an excellent game to watch, a credit to both teams, played in a very fine spirit. We are still top of the table, two points ahead of Coagh Utd. Next game is home to Sport&Leisure next Sat 19th October, ko 3pm.

Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, D. Tumilty, Phil Prenter, Paul Prenter, M. McManus, M. Allison, P. Donnelly, C. Simpson, P. McDonald, C. Mulholland, J. Lavery

Subs: M. Vernon, S. Quinn, M. Hingston, A. Keenan, E. Donnelly

Wakehurst:
M. Mayoin, R. Colville, David Gage, D. Stevenson, R. Culbertson, C. Lemon, M. Crawford, L. McCaughern, C. Gregg, J. Paul, R. Gregg.

Subs: J. Alexander, S. Mellon, C. Warren, G. Marks, D. Parker