Sides settle for share of the spoils

Editorial Department • Published 11 Feb 2010 09:20 0 Comments

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Ballinamallard's Mattie Maguire holds off an Irvinestown challenge during the sides' 2-2 draw on Saturday.<<

Irvinestown Wanderers 2; Ballinamallard Reserves 2;

Irvinestown Wanderers continue to claw their way out of the relegation scrap with a point from their encounter with Ballinamallard Reserves on Saturday.

Greg Copeland's side have shown good battling qualities in recent weeks with this result coming on the back of last week's excellent victory over Enniskillen Town.

And the big games continue to roll up for the Wanderers with league leaders Lisbellaw next up this Saturday.

"We didn't play as well as we did the week before but we're satisfied with the point although of course we would have liked all three. I am delighted with the attitude and effort shown by the players and as I have said before if we can continue that we will hopefully get enough points to take us to safety. We have Lisbellaw this week and it is another big ask. It's another game where if you get something out if it then it is a bonus," commented Copeland.

For Ballinamallard this was another dent in their title ambitions with player manager Neil Coulter feeling that they were again made to pay for defensive lapses.

"I thought we played really well but we would be disappointed with the manner of the goals we gave away. We have to cut out the mistakes," he said.

Ballinamallard enjoyed plenty of possession in the early moments of the contest but it was Irvinestown who were first to draw blood. The Mallards failed to deal properly with a ball which resulted in a corner for Irvinestown and from the inswinging ball John Doonan was left unmarked to head the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Quinn.

Ballinamallard though responded to this with the equaliser. Nathan Khan pushed the ball out wide to Darrin Simpson and he played it into Georgi who twisted and turned before going down under a challenge with the referee awarding a penalty much to the consternation of Irvinestown. Neil Coulter stepped up to take the penalty and although goalkeeper Timmy Elliott got his hand to the ball he could not keep it out.

Georgi then had a chance to put the Mallards ahead but his shot was saved well by Elliott at the near post with the Wanderers going on to regain the lead.

A free kick was given away on the edge of the box and Quinn pushed the shot away before pulling off a good double save from Dara McGovern and Jason Hoey but at the third attempt Greg O'Donnell slammed the ball to the net to make it 2-1.

But back again came Ballinamallard and Georgi played in Robert McAuley who rounded Elliott before tapping home to leave it 2-2 at the break.

Both sides had chances after the interval with Hoey and substitute Lyndon Johnston wasting opportunities for Irvinestown while Lloyd McFarland had a tame shot that was easily saved at the other end.

Ballinamallard thought they had won it near the end when Kane Connor tucked home but it was harshly ruled out for offside as the sides had to settle for a point apiece.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Feb 10

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