Magic Moyle in seventh heaven

MOYLE were playing their first game of 2010 but continued in their rich vein of form from '09 scoring seven goals in an entertaining Chronicle Cup tie.

Heights started with the better football and Ryan McGarry was called into action twice in the first ten minutes. Moyle appeared to be a bit rusty.

Paddy Black had a great first half breaking up some dangerous Heights' attacks. It was twelve minutes before they had an effort through Conleth McCaughan. This seemed to wake Moyle up and within a minute they had the opening goal of the game. Benny McCarry ran on to a through ball from Conleth McCaughan from the half way line. His initial shot was blocked by the keeper but he fired the rebound into the net.

Moyle pushed for a second but the Heights keeper was in great form and he kept everything out until the 28th minute when a series of passes involving the excellent Lee Watterson, Conleth McCaughan and Eddie McCloskey found Benny McCarry who rifled his shot low into the net.

It was all Moyle now and Daniel Mooney, Conleth McCaughan and Sol Fox all saw chances saved by the keeper. Even Stephen McAfee made a few mazy runs up the pitch and saw a fantastic effort on goal saved by the Heights keeper.

Moyle made it three nil in the 34th minute when Conleth McCaughan ran on to a through ball from Sol Fox and he fired past the keeper with a right foot shot.

Heights came back into the game in the last five minutes of the half but Ryan McGarry was able to cover anything that the defence missed.

Moyle started with great energy in the second half and the Heights keeper pulled off saves to prevent Eddie McCloskey and Benny McCarry scoring.

Benny McCarry got his hat-trick in the 54th minute with an easy tap in after a quick throw from Daniel Mooney found Conleth McCaughan who passed the ball across the goal mouth.

Moyle then scored two in two minutes with Eddie McCloskey lobbing the keeper in the 59th minute and Benny McCarry robbing a defender and slotting the ball under the advancing keeper in the 61st minute.

Heights pulled a goal back in the 69th minute when the Moyle defence failed to clear the ball from a corner.

Moyle made a few changes and Conor Kelly made the most of this chance on the pitch with some great work up front. He was rewarded with a goal in the 88th minute when he finished off a great move involving Ryan McKillop, Daniel Mooney when he curled a shot into the far top corner of the net which the excellent Heights keeper could do nothing to stop.

This was a good game of football and credit must be given to Heights who never quit trying despite the scoreline. The Heights' keeper was in fantastic form and it could easily have been double the score but for him.

Moyle got into gear after a few chances from Heights and the defence, under the leadership of the very experienced Martin McGarry, held firm. Midfield with Lee Watterson, Eddie McCloskey, Daniel Mooney and Conleth McCaughan fought for every ball and were constantly pushing forward, and Benny McCarry was in fantastic form with four goals.

The squad showed they had depth with Malachy Dallas, Conor Kelly and Ryan McKillop all coming off the bench and adding to the match.

The club would send their best wishes to Darren McKillop who will be out of action for a few months after an injury at training.

Thanks to Mark Kilgore for sponsoring this match.