Mallards go through
Published 14 Jan 2012 09:30
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Dundela 0
Ballinamallard 2
Ballinamallard booked their passage into the next round of the Irish cup with a comfortable win at Dundela.
After going one up in the first half, Mallards added two more in the second. It had been a fairly competitive first half but the visitors deserved their lead, gained through a Jason McCartney penalty on 40 minutes.
In bright sunshine, Mallards settled quickly and passed the ball well.
McCartney fired wide early on and the Fermanagh side generally had the better of the chances.
In the middle of the half there was something of a personal battle between Andy Crawford and Dundela keeper Jonny Sergeant.
Three times the net minder foiled him; on the third occasion he got his foot to the ball low down and it somehow went over the bar.
Mallards didnt have it all their own way on the tight pitch, though, and Gary Irwin put a good chance wide with a header for Duns.
On 40 minutes Mallards got the breakthrough with a penalty.
A good move down the left opened up the home defence and when McCartney's shot was blocked by a hand, Newtownards ref Graham McIlwrath pointed to the spot.
McCartney's left foot confidently stroked the penalty home.
Dundela started the second half in determined mood and were attacking well down the left through Kris Hunter.
Visiting keeper James McGrath saved well from Ben Roy as the game began to open up and there was action at both ends.
Gradually, though, Mallards extra bit of quality saw them gain the ascendency again.
Mark McConkey got the travelling support going with a great run down the right.
And on 67 minutes, Ballinamallard were really on top with a second goal.
Good work on the right by Crawford saw him cut into the box and pull the ball back for Stuart Hutchinson to fire in a great shot.
Keeper Sergeant clawed it on to the post but it came back off a defenders, then the keeper and rolled agonisingly in.
Mallards were cruising and Leon Carters added a third in added time.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 14 Jan 12
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