Rearcross 'B' 1 - Sallypark 'B' 0
Rearcross ‘B’ made it three wins on the trot with a hard earned one nil win over a well drilled Sallypark ‘B’ outfit in this floodlit encounter played at Rearcross FC Grounds last Friday night. The hosts made the early running and came close when Joey Nolan, John Ryan Luke and Matthew Ryan Luke combined with the latter’s shot flicked out for a corner kick, Matthew Ryan’s resulting effort was cleared off the line. The hosts won two more corner kicks in quick succession with Leo Ryan coming close from the last of the trio. Rearcross hit the front on eleven minutes when Liam Nolan’s long ball picked out Sean Hickey who rounded the keeper before slotting to the net with aplomb. The Rea boys weren’t getting it all their own way as Jim Caplis was forced to save three minutes later. It was end to end as Tom Hickey’s long range effort flew over on the 25 minute mark, Sallypark will rue not levelling matters 17 minutus before the break with a good effort which flew wide of the target. Indeed the visiting side made the stronger finish to the half as John Ryan Luke’s block down averted the danger and then Matthew Ryan Luke headed inches wide of the Sallypark goal after connecting with Leo Ryan’s corner kick delivery. Rearcross net minder Jim Caplis tipped over the bar and then Sallypark missed a chance in front of goal to leave Rearcross ahead at the break. The second half was a tight affair throughout, Sean Hickey shot over four minutes in, Sean Kennedy was in the action with a well worked effort in the 63rd minute and then Joey Nolan’s shot was blocked down. It was tit for tat in the final ten minutes, a Sallypark corner kick as parried by Jim Caplis before the evergreen Thomas Kennedy cleared off the line. The visitors came close again following a good move while at the other end Thomas Kennedy booted the crossbar, Leo Ryan’s free kicked nearly sealed it two minutes from time, however it mattered little at that stage as Sean Hickey’s first strike of the season was to prove the difference on the night. The Rearcross Quarries sponsored side had good displays from Shane Reynolds, John Ryan Luke, Liam Nolan(B), Sean Kennedy and Leo Ryan
Rearcross ‘B’: Jim Caplis, Theo English, John Ryan Luke, Liam Nolan(B), Shane Reynolds, Sean Hickey, Sean Kennedy, Liam Ryan, Tom Hickey, Joey Nolan, Matthew Ryan Luke
Subs; Brian Carey, Thomas Kennedy
Referee: Tony Canning