Scoreline not a true reflection

The game started with Rathfriland determined not to let their opponents setttle into any sort of rhythm. Midway were sitting second in the table with games in hand on Dungannon youth and they were also determined to win at all costs. This made for an entertaining game.

Rathfriland had the first clear cut chance when good play through the midfield from Weir and Pollack saw McConville being released into the Midway box. The keeper was quickly off his line forcing McConville wide of the goal and this allowed the defence to recover and come in round to protect the goal blocking the young wingers shot.

Rathfriland went to be denied though and soon had a lead to hold on to. Pressure from Megaw and Mallon saw the visiting keeper being forced to pick up a back pass. This allowed Ppollack to lay the resulting indirect freekick into the path of Patterson who cooly slotted home through a sea of legs.

The same player stood up to calmly fire home the equaliser. Rathfriland then had a chance of their own when Byrne rounded three players on a great dribble and should have fired home but instead opted to beat one more player and the chance was lost.

Midway went straight up the other end and got themselves in front with a thunderbolt from 20 yards into the top corner. The superb young striker got his second and his teams third soon after and the same player finished off the scoring completing his hat-trick right at the death from the penalty spot after a penaly desicion. The Rathfriland lads certainly didn’t deserve the scoreline they got and did themselves great justice with a battling display.

With the influential Ben Clydesdale missing Lee Patterson stood in at centre half superbly well and along with Burns Baird and Ryan Clydesdale defended excellently.

Man of the match was a joint winner with Burns and Clydesdale immense throughout.

Team: Moffett, Burns, Clydesdale, Patterson, Baird, Pollack, Weir, McConville, Byrne, Megaw, Mallon. Subs, McAvoy, Adams, Bailie.