Missed opportunities prove costly for Riada

Riada FC travelled to Aghadowey in the league and the match only went ahead after a late pitch inspection with the referee declaring the game on but saying it was just about playable.

Horrendous conditions underfoot and lying water on the pitch made for a game where very little football was played by either side.

Riada started the stronger with McCook setting Agnew clean through on goal only for him to blaze over. Then Gillen laid the ball off to Agnes in the box but the finish hadthe same result. Soon after Agnew raced clear again only for his intended cut back to Christie to be intercepted and cleared. Christie then had a free kick saved, spilled then stopped on the line by the Aghadowey keeper as Riada could have been out of sight inside twenty minutes.

Then a sucker punch came from the home side as Dempsey ran through and finished with more or less Aghadowey’s first clear chance of the game to leave it 1-0 at halftime.

Aghadowey went 2-0 in front early in the second half as Dempsey beat the offside trap again to finish at the second attempt after McGaughey saved the intial effort. Riada then piled on the pressure again with Agnew having a point blank header saved and then an effort miraculously blocked on the line having rounded the keeper. Agnew blazed over again when through on goal and soon after Aghadowey sewed the game up when a weak header from a corner found its way into the Riada net. This was a day of missed opportunities and frustration for Riada, however credit must go to Aghadowey who took their chances and were ruthless in front of goal.

Coleraine & District Afternoon League

Ringsend Swifts v Magherfelt SB: Coleraine Crusaders v Portrush: Maghera Strollers v Garvagh: Kilrea v Riada FC: Aghadowey v Magherafelt Reds