Campbell strike puts Blues back on top

Published 19 Feb 2009 12:00 0 Comments

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Ballinamallard match winner Ryan Campbell.

Ballinamallard United 1; Glebe Rangers 0

Ballinamallard United moved back to the top of the Ladbrokes.com Championship table with a 1-0 win over Glebe Rangers at Holm Park on Saturday.

Ryan Campbell scored the game"s only goal in the 21st minute when he finished off a great move as the Mallards took advantage of Portadown, Donegal Celtic and Loughgall having no games to leap back to the top of the league with one point separating Whitey Anderson"s side from Portadown and Coagh United.

The Fermanagh side could have won this game more comfortably than they did after creating a number of chances over the duration of the contest but Anderson was just happy to have picked up the victory.

'It is a game we could have won 5-0 but at the same time it could have been 1-1 only for a couple of good saves by Paddy Morrison so we"re pleased just to have won. It was a very satisfying team performance apart from a wee blip before half time when we took our foot of the pedal,' commented Anderson.

And Anderson is pleased with his squad as they prepare for the run in with 13 league games left to be played.

'We drew three league games in a row but we"ve followed that up with two wins and that has been good for confidence. I also think that we"re looking fit and strong. We"ve a good squad and we"re playing well at the minute and creating chances,' he said.

Ballinamallard made a lively start to the game with Campbell carving open a chance for strike partner Andy Crawford who shot narrowly past the post while captain Leon Carters almost produced a stunning goal, his long range thunderbolt smashing off the bar.

The Mallards finally made the breakthrough though in the 21st minute, and it was a fine team goal. Mark Stafford sprayed a great ball from left back to the right wing where he picked out Craig Hill and the Northern Ireland Schools U18 international drove into the box before pulling the ball back to Campbell on the penalty spot where he fired home.

Although the Mallards enjoyed the bulk of the play they still had to be on their guard at the back with Morrison called upon to punch away a dangerous cross ten minutes before half time, while at the other end Cathal Beacom worked space for himself to fire in a shot from distance which was pushed around the post for a corner.

It was Glebe that had the better of the exchanges prior to half time but they could not find a way through the Mallards defence as Anderson"s side remained in front at the break.

At the start of the second half Ballinamallard regained control of the contest with Conor McGuigan and Crawford both having shots cleared off the line.

On the hour mark Campbell went close to doubling his tally when he volleyed at goal but once again the Glebe goalkeeper saved his side with a terrific stop.

The chances continued to pile up for the Mallards as McGuigan, Campbell and Beacom combined to set up a shooting opportunity for Crawford but his effort flew just wide of the post, and with the score remaining at only 1-0 there was always the danger that Glebe would get an equaliser.

Indeed, it took a wonderful save from Morrison who pushed a close range header from a corner onto the bar to keep the Mallards" lead intact.

And the big goalkeeper was needed again with nine minutes to go when he made a great save from the Glebe striker who had found space in the box.

The away side piled on the pressure towards the end but they could not breakdown the Mallards rearguard as the Fermanagh side held on to their 1-0 lead to secure their place at the top of the table.

The Mallards have no game this Saturday with their next outing in the league being a meeting with Ballyclare at Holm Park, Armagh on Tuesday night (8pm).

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Feb 09

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