Lurgan United FC

Date: Saturday 17th December 2011

Donacloney Reserves v Lurgan United Reserves

Lurgan United Reserves secured a well deserved second victory of the season last Saturday with a hard earned 3-2 victory over Donacloney at Lagan View.

With conditions damp under foot both teams tried to play football and chances were created by both teams early on. Donacloney went ahead mid way through the half after a mis-judged attempt at a header let the Cloney forward in to score past keeper Andy.

Lurgan continued to battle and after good work on the right between Henderson, Rice and a cross from Loughran, young Gary Duffy popped up at the back post to nod in the equaliser.

Both teams continued to create chances and Lurgan went close near the end of the half when Henderson blazed over after good work on the right again. The first half ended all square at 1-1.

The game then changed in a five minute spell early in the second half with Stevie Henderson netting from close range after a cross cum shot from John Corden hit the crossbar and Henderson beat the keeper and netted the rebound to the disbelief of his fellow players and supporters.

A few minutes later Lurgan got a third after Henderson ran onto a through ball, drew the defender and passed to the on rushing Micky Lappin to slot home.

After that Lurgan got a bit carried away and let Donacloney back into the game although due to some last ditch defending from Sean Rice and Conor Haughian and in fairness a few poor misses from the opposition the score remained 3-1.

With about 15 minutes left Donacloney were awarded a penalty after a handball in the area by Thompson, but keeper Andy Wroblewski made a great save and Lurgan survived.

Duffy then missed a great chance with the head to make the game save as Lurgan continued to attack, but the down side was they left themselves a bit short at the back at times.

Donacloney did eventually score a second to leave the game on a knife edge for the last few minutes, but United held out for a well deserved victory which puts them in good heart for the second half of the season.

On the day everyone played a good game but special mention to man-of-the-match Gary Duffy, to Ryan Thompson who put in a hard shift as always, to wee John Corden who was solid at left back, to Sean Rice who had a solid game in his new position of right back, and also to big Stevie Henderson for all the effort he put in up front for the Lurgan Reds.

Team: To be confirmed...

There is a short break now from competitive and league football until Saturday 7th Jan 2012.

Lurgan United FC would just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful & Prosperous New Year!