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Benburb 3 v 3 Saint Anthony's

A
20 yard volley in the 93rd minute by Martin Lyons gave Benburb a
late but deserved equaliser in this Govan derby at Tinto Park.
This scoreline means Saints have scored TEN goals in four games
yet failed to win a game and with their first league match away
to Ashfield next Saturday their priority has got to be to stop
losing stupid goals and tighten up in defence.
This was certainly a game of two halfs with the windy conditions
and shooting down the slope a huge advantage. Bens did create a
couple of half chances but Ferguson and O'Neil wasted the
opportunities. Saints then took command and opened the scoring
in 16 minutes when a big long throw by Mansare was only
partially cleared, Callaghan then passed to McCuish who's inch
perfect pass found Mulheron who lobbed the advancing Ghatias.
Seconds later the keeper spilled a Donnelly free kick but
Callaghan's attempt from the free kick drifted wide. Bens came
close when a Ferguson free kick rebounded off the bar and Gibson
also clipped the top of the bar from 18 yards. Saints went two
up in the 28th minute, a delightful cross from Keyes found
Callaghan unmarked at the back post and he calmly shot into the
net. Next up came TWO poor refereeing decisions that certainly
changed the outcome of the match. Donnelly skipped past Feeney
at the edge of the box only to be felled as he made his way
goalward, As last defender he should have been shown a red card
and from my view a penalty kick awarded but Referee O'Neil
awarded neither and gave a goal kick. Just before the interval
he handed the Bens a much needed lifeline. A cross from the left
caught O'Neill and Ferguson both offside, As Saints waited for
the whistle Ferguson fluffed his shot then O'Neill forced over
the line from 6 yards and despite protests the goal stood.
Half Time Benburb 1 v 2 Saint Anthonys
The home side attacked straight from the restart now shooting
down the slope and Robertson's cross cum shot hit the top of the
crossbar however in the 55th minute they got their reward when
Robertson's free kick took a deflection to the unmarked Lyons to
score from 4 yards. A period of long punts from the Bens merely
took the pressure off their opponents and with 10 minutes
remaining Ants took the lead. A throw in from Mansare was
flicked on by McCuish as the ball landed in a ruck of players
Williams cheekily back-heeled low into the keeper's right hand
corner. As the Bens tried hard for an equaliser Turner produced
two great saves tipping over Ferguson's free kicks. Then came
that dramatic equaliser when a harmless looking cross was only
half cleared and in ran Low to volley home from 20 yards.
Full time Benburb 3 v 3 Saint Anthony's
Ants Team - Turner, Keyes, Donaghy, Mansare, McDonald, Donald
(Howley 75), McCuish, Mulligan, Callaghan (Hare 90), Mulheron,
Docherty (Williams 65)
Man of the Match - Martin Callaghan
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