Missed chances cost us - Love
Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00
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Killen Rangers 3; Irvinestown Wanderers 2;
Irvinestown Wanderers manager Gerry Love blamed wasted chances on his side's 3-2 defeat away to Killen Rangers on Saturday.
Love's side appeared to be cruising as they moved into a 2-0 lead in the first half but Killen pulled a goal back before half time and then an error from goalkeeper Jamie Callaghan saw the home team equalise before they went on to snatch all three points with eight minutes to go.
Love had watched his side though waste a number of scoring chances over the contest and felt they cost his side the game.
"Missed chances cost us," said Love. "We could have had four in the first half but only took two and we missed a couple on the second half half as well."
However, he believes that Wanderers are still good enough to go on and clinch promotion back to the Mercer League.
"The reality for us is that now every team we have to play is below us in the league and if we win them all, which I know the players are capable of, we will be promoted," he commented.
Irvinestown had the advantage of the breeze in the first half and with seven minutes played they had a great chance to open the scoring. Niall Donnelly whipped in a cross but Andy Farrell could only direct his effort over the bar from six yards out.
The visitors though went on to take the lead after 15 minutes with Shane Goan breaking through and while Paddy Morrison in the Killen goal made a good save, the ball came out to Ronan Ormsby who slotted home.
And Irvinestown went on to double their lead although there was a touch of fortune about the goal. Christopher Lyons cut in from the left and fired a shot at goal. The strike appeared to be going wide but it took a deflection of Andy Farrell which wrong footed Morrison and ended up in the back of the net.
Five minutes later though Killen were back in the contest as Conrad Kee tucked away after Clive Morrison's free kick came back off the bar.
The home side then levelled matters midway through the second half with Clive Morrison tapping home. Scott Sproule had the original shot which was spilled by Callaghan in the Irvinestown goal and Morrison had the simple job of rolling the ball home for 2-2.
Irvinestown did have a couple of chances to regain the lead but Niall Donnelly failed to put the finishing touches on an Ormsby ball that only needed the slightest of touches to put it over the line while Conor McGuigan nodded over at the back post when well placed.
The winner though was to come for Killen with eight minutes to go when a long clearance was met by Wanderers defender Conor McGuigan only for it to fall nicely to Trevor irwin who smashed his effort into the top corner to secure the three points.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12
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