Ballymackey 1 - Rearcross 'B' 1

Rearcross went the visitors in this top of the table encounter against Ballymackey last Sunday afternoon and came away with a one all draw. The home side were faster out of the blocks and dominated all the early possession. However the Rearcross rearguard defended stoutly with Larry McLoughlin and Eamonn Wade making vital clearances and Ballymackey failed to convert this possession into real chances. Rearcross grew into the game as the first half wore on with John Ryan Luke and Sean Kennedy starting to get control in the middle of the field and Tommy Ryan Luke(S) causing trouble for the Ballymackey defence. The game was nearly thirty minutes old when the first clear cut chance of the game fell to the home side when a corner was headed back across the Rearcross goal with Jim Caplis did well to knock the ball over the crossbar. Chances were more plentiful in an open second half with both sides looking for all three points. Rearcross had strong appeals for a penalty waved away after Joey Nolan was upended in the penalty area eight minutes into the second half. Rearcross almost took the lead ten minutes later when Liam Ryan beat the offside trap after a delightful ball through from Sean Kennedy. Liam was forced wide after rounded the keeper and pulled the ball back for Tommy Ryan Luke(S) on the penalty spot. However the ball was taken off his toe by a last ditch tackle when he was about to pull the trigger. Rearcross were came close once more when the ball fell to Sean Kennedy after a scramble in the Ballymackey penalty box. However Rearcross were denied when the shot came back off the post and was cleared to safety. In response, Ballymackey forced a series of corners with Eamonn Wade clearing a shot off the line. The home side took the lead with twenty minutes to go when a corner deep into the Rearcross penalty area was met at the back post leaving Jim Caplis little chance. Rearcross piled on the pressure after this in search of the equaliser. Just when it looked that Rearcross would leave empty handed they levelled the match in injury time. Robert Harrington collected the ball near the corner flag and sent a cross deep into the Ballymackey penalty area. Tommy Ryan Luke(S) contested the high ball with the Ballymackey keeper and the ball broke kindly for Liam Ryan to score his second goal in as many games to leave the sides all square and earn Rearcross a deserved point.

Ballymackey: Dinny Hogan, Kevin Ryan, John Kenneally, Derek Ryan, Alan Kenneally, Rory Mounsey, Ray Mounsey, Kevin Mounsey, William Seymour, Mikey Stevens, David Kelly, Michael O'Brien

Rearcross 'B': Jim Caplis, Eamonn Wade, Adrian Hurley, Larry McLoughlin, Tommy Ryan Luke(G), Robert Harrington, John Ryan Luke, Sean Kennedy, Liam Ryan, Joey Nolan, Tommy Ryan Luke(S)
Subs: Matthew Ryan Luke for Joey Nolan
Subs not used: Theo English

Referee: Liam Kelly