Kesh stun Dromore U16s with late equaliser

Dromore Amateurs U16s 3

DROMORE Amateurs U16 made the trip to County Tyrone on Saturday to face Kesh in their league opener.

Dromore approached the game cautiously as the only previous encounter between the teams saw their opponents winning the game convincingly 4-0.

As the referee got proceedings underway the Amateurs pressed forward and Kesh found themselves on the back foot. Good build up play involving Moore and Walker released Michael Ward and the striker who was starting his first game for the club hustled his way forward and placed the ball passed the opposing keeper into the net. With just two minutes on the clock Dromore were 1-0 up.

Dromore continued to dominate and Hunt and Neill both had efforts narrowly wide of the woodwork. Kesh then tried to get themselves back into the game but Colfer and Scappaticci snuffed out the danger and protected Topley in goal.

With nine minutes on the clock Dromore doubled their advantage and this time it was Neill who inflicted the damage, Finnegan and Moore combined to free Hunt who played to Neill and the striker had a superb finish high over the keeper and into the net.

Kesh were rocked and Dromore should really have capitalised with Neill and Ward both failing to add to their totals as the half progressed.

With half time approaching and against the run of play Kesh got themselves a life line when during a scramble in the Dromore box the ball was poked over the Dromore line.

The second period started in similar fashion to the first with Dromore pushing forward and looking to regain their two goal cushion.

Hunt’s pace on the right was causing Kesh problems and it was from a sublime cross that a flick from Ward had the Kesh keeper scrambling across his area to see the ball whiz narrowly past the upright.

Dromore were then forced into a change when, from a crunching late tackle, Finnegan had to be withdrawn through injury. The big winger was replaced out left by Albolfazlian.

Dromore continued pressing and Kesh were on the retreat for much of the half but as things go the Fermanagh boys grabbed the equalizer. The ball was won in a midfield scramble and the winger hit a high cross come shot which gave the unlucky Topley no chance in the Dromore nets flying high and in under the cross bar..

Credit to the young Amateurs and they went searching for the goal that would seal all three points Neill who was usually so reliable and clinical hadn’t his golden touch with him on the day with chances going a begging.

Hunt was next to shoot wide when he lacked composure and lashed a shot across the face of the net when well placed. Kesh who were content just using the counter attack were being well marshalled by McMurtry, Johnston, Scappaticci and Colfer in the Dromore rear guard.

As the pressure mounted Dromore deservedly went in front for the third time, Colfer, Moore and Hunt were involved but it was Ward who finished superbly as the ball fell 20 yards out and the big guy caught the ball sweetly on the volley, the keeper was rooted and the ball rocketed past him into the net.

With the three points in the bag and the game almost at an end Dromore were hit with a knockout blow, Kesh were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. The ball was played to the edge of the box and for the second time in the game the ball was punted forwarded in a cross come shot which crashed in under the bar.

The Dromore players were gutted but still fancied themselves to take all the points and as they pushed up for the winner Kesh almost stole the winner when the striker beat the offside trap but Topley was alert and raced off his line to save superbly.

Squad: Topley, McMurtry, Colfer, Scappaticci, Johnston, Hunt, Finnegan ( Albolfazlian) Moore , Neill, Walker , Ward, Galloway, Blair, Hooke, Green.

Next week sees neighbours Moneyslane visit Dromore in the league.

Best for Dromore were Colfer, Moore, Walker and Ward.