Castlederg United 3-2 Magheraveely
Castlederg United made it three wins from three as they sit top of Division Two following a 3-2 win over Magheraveely on Saturday.
Both sides suffered relegation from the Mercer League last season but Tristram Hannan’s side are enjoying a fruitful start to the season that has seen them net 15 goals in just three games.
Dylan Russell scored a brace to bring his tally up to eight for the season already. With the sides level at 2-2 heading into halftime Jamie Logue’s second-half corner travelled all the way into the net and was the difference-maker in the end.
Speaking after the game, United manager Hannan said: “Another well-deserved win, could have and should have scored a few more but wasn't to be.
"A really good three points against a dogged Magheraveely team, with the injuries we had this week, missing Jake McHugh, James Stewart, and Adam Milligan.
"Sam Hannan making his first start in men’s football at 16. With all this factored in, it just makes the result even better.
"A great team performance from everyone involved.”
Russell landed the first blow with just three minutes played, James Harper found Adam McFarland and he slipped through Russell to run in on goal before rounding goalkeeper Connor Smith to slot home.
A free-kick, from the halfway line, was played into the box by Magheraveely’s Warren Stewart and Harper headed the ball off a Magheraveely head as it then dropped for Cormac Boyle to poke home and make it 1-1.
McFarland went close to a second United goal but after he was played through by Lukas Crozier, he got under the ball and blazed an effort over the crossbar while Russell also had a shot dragged wide.
The away side grew in confidence and they would take the lead just shy of the half-hour mark as Dean Carroll used his pace to get around Cameron Potts and then rolled a shot across goal into the bottom left corner of the net.
There were chances for both sides before the half-time whistle but Castlederg would tie things up two minutes before the interval.
Russell lifted his head and sent a rocket into the top right corner from 25 yards.
The second half was a cagey affair with limited chances at either end.
The decider came on the hour, as Logue’s whipped corner took a slight nick on its way into the net.
Harper and McFarland went close to adding a fourth goal while Magheraveely pushed hard for a leveller late on but Castlederg held on for a deserved win as the sides now look forward to Junior Cup football.
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