March 20th 2010 – Home

Clarence Cup

Orangefield 1st XI v Ardglass

Clarence Cup day and Ardglass were the visitors to Gibson Park today. Both teams have been going well in the league so it was always going to be a hard fought match.

Ardglass started the better of the two teams, knocking the ball quickly up to the front men who were lively from the first whistle.

Ardglass took the lead when a midfielder knocked the ball over the top, and the Ardglass man got to the ball just before Taylor and lobbed it into the net.

Orangefield came back stronger and had a couple of half chances before leveling shortly before half-time. A good ball into the box picked out Clarkey, and the big man made no mistake and buried it into the back of the net.

Half-time: 1 - 1

The next goal was going to be important in such a tight cup tie. Both teams were pushing and creating chances, and it looked like Orangefield were the more likely to score. Against the run of play though, an Ardglass forward broke down the left hand side. With one touch inside, he bent the ball into the far top corner of the net for a great goal, leaving Taylor no chance.

With Orangefield pushing again looking for an equaliser, Bryan Reynolds was delivering some great balls into the box from the right hand side. With a combination of good defending and missed opportunities by Orangefield, Ardglass were able to hold onto the lead.

In the final ten minutes an Ardglass forward broke clear. Some last ditch defending wasn’t enough to stop him and he rounded the keeper to slot home and put the tie out of reach for the home side.

All in all, a good game and with some more luck Orangefield could have won the game. Orangefield will need to dust themselves down and get back on track for next week’s league tie away to Shorts.

Full-time: 1 – 3

Lineup: G.Taylor, R. Hardy, S. McNaul, A. D’Arcy (Capt), D. Wilson, J.Gibson, T. Craig, D.Cousins, B.Reynolds,C.Dempster, C.Harvey Subs: N.O’Neill, R.McNaul, Dornan.