Stroll in the park for slick City
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Armagh City's Ultan Lennon in possession against Moyola Park during their Championship Two tie at Holm Park on Saturday. CG0518
Armagh City 1. Moyola Park 0.
ARMAGH City produced a strong performance in Championship Two at Holm Park on Saturday and collected all three points against visitors Moyola Park.
A single goal seperated the sides at the end but, to be fair, the Holm Park outfit controlled the game for long periods and never came under any real pressure from their
Castledawson opponents.
The match-winner came in the 56th minute when a cross from the right by Dale Montgomery was flicked towards the back-post by Darren Bruce and Adam Nesbitt was quickest to react, heading past outstretched Moyola 'keeper Gareth Maguire.
This score was just reward for Armagh who were the more attacking unit throughout.
In fact, Moyola stopper Maguire was the busiest man on the park as he pulled off several fine saves throughout the match to defy City.
On the half-hour he did well to deny Ultan Lennon when he saved a header from six yards out and then ushered a superb cross from Cillian Sheridan to safety.
Just after the break Maguire was beaten all ends up by a powerful low shot from Matthew Hynds but a defender managed to scramble the ball off the goal-line.
Moments later, in a rare attack, Daniel McIlhatton fired goalwards for the visitors but City 'keeper Sean Morgan easily collected.
Playing in his new role as right wing-back, Montgomery almost increased Armagh's lead with a cracking shot but Maguire dived at full-stretch to save brilliantly.
Armagh had another chance to increase their lead on 70 minutes but Sheridan drove over the crossbar when well placed.
In the final quarter of the match Moyola tried to grab an equaliser but they were well held by the eager Armagh defence in which Ultan Lennon and Dara Noonan were outstanding.
However, the same could be said of several City players.
Wing-backs Montgomery and Ryan McGerrigan were also very solid while Hyndes, captain Liam Cullen and Mattie Lavery dominated the midfield throughout.
City, however, cannot rest on their laurels after this victory as the face another 'must win' match this Saturday, away to basement boys Chimney Corner.
A similar performance should be good enough!
Armagh City: Sean Morgan, Dale Montgomery, Ryan McGerrigan, Ultan Lennon (y/c), Dara Noonan, Matthew Hynds (Gareth Grimley on 87), Mattie Lavery, Liam Cullen, Darren Bruce (Chris Maxwell on 65), Adam Nesbitt, Cillian Sheridan. Subs not used: Sean Mallon, Brendan O'Hea, Michael O'Neill.
Moyola Park: Gareth Maguire, Daniel McFadden, Mervyn Pattison, Stephen McQuillan, Adrian Whiteside, Ian Crocket, Daniel McIlhatton, Michael McClean, Jason Holmes (Andy Moore on 60),
Paul McIntyre (Curtis Hassan on 66), James Johnston (Gareth Stewart on 83). Sub not used: Adam Kelly.
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