Kesh start with a draw

Editorial Department • Published 26 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Draperstown 2; NFC Kesh 2

Kesh failed to turn their dominance into three points last weekend, settling for a draw after twice going ahead against Draperstown in the Intermediate League Cup.

“We should have won,” admitted Kesh manager Noel Ellis. “We had most of the play and we contained them pretty well. Whatever football was played I thought we were the ones trying to play it, but they had about three chances and scored two of them. They were happy to get a point and we were disappointed not to take all three.”

Despite Kesh starting their first competitive match of the season in solid fashion, it was Draperstown who carved out the first opportunity.

The home side were awarded a controversial free kick just yards from the Kesh goal line following what the referee adjudged to be a back pass, but with the goal line packed with defenders Draperstown were unable to find a way through.

20 minutes into the match Kesh were rewarded for their early efforts with a goal. Nathan Cashel bent his run to remain onside and received a through ball from Darren McNulty before coolly slotting past the goal keeper from 15 yards. Just before half time however Draperstown were back on level terms.

They won a corner and when the cross was headed back across goal two Kesh defenders got in each others way trying to clear their lines. The ball fell to the opposition striker, and although he saw his initial header deflected onto the crossbar he was able to stab home the rebound to send the sides in all square at half time.

At the start of the second period Kesh continued to cut off the supply to the Draperstown forward line, and on 55 minutes took the lead for the second time. A cross to the far post was headed back across the face of the goal, and Grant Ellis was on hand to apply the finishing touch. Despite continuing to control much of the play Kesh were unable to add to their goal tally, and the home team came back into the game when they changed their formation.

With Draperstown adopting a more direct approach for the last 15 minutes Kesh continued to hold them out until five minutes from time when a ball floated to the far post evaded the goal keeper and was headed home to tie the scores, sending both teams home with a share of the points.

With only the top team from the three team group set to qualify for the next round of the cup, the remaining matches against Strabane and the Draperstown rematch will prove crucial.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Aug 10

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