Rearcross 'B' 1 - Ballywilliam 2
Ballywilliam were the visitors to Rearcross for this floodlit league encounter against Rearcross ‘B’ on Saturday evening and plundered a narrrow 2-1 victory over the hosts in what was a tough contest throughuout. The Rearcross Quarries sponsored side had the better of the exchanges early on and tested the visiting custodian inside the opening five minutes when Gary Ryan linked up with PJ McLoughin, however the shot was saved. The visitors were on the mark two minutes later but Liam Nolan cleared off the line. Gary Ryan was in the action again on the quarter hour mark only for the well struck effort to be saved. Rearcross keeper Joey Nolan not to be outdone then saved in the 24th minute with a great block. Ballywilliam had two chances to open their account but both efforts flashed wide. Headed opportunites were the order of the moment at the start of the second half after Ballywilliam weren’t far away four minutes in and then Sean Kennedy came close with a thumping header for Rea. The former stalwarts of North Tipp soccer opened their account on 57 minutes when the ball finished in the net following a corner kick. James Deegan released Andy Ryan with twenty minutes to play but the resulting drive dragged wide of the Ballywilliam post. The Rea boys pushed forward in search of an equalizer and were caught on the break which let the away side in for their second of the evening. Joey Nolan came to the rescue with a smart save to keep the scoreline intact while at the other end PJ McLoughlin’s shot wasn’t far off. Rearcross set up a tense finish when Paul Ryan passed to James Deegan who slotted between the posts with four minutes to play, the home team piled on the pressure as the clock ticked down, but had to settle for second best on this occasion.
Rearcross ‘B’: Joey Nolan, Theo English, Matthew Ryan Luke, Tom Hickey, Liam Nolan(B), Sean Hickey, Sean Kennedy, Liam Ryan, Declan Hickey,PJ McLoughlin, Gary Ryan
Sub: Andy Ryan, Paul Ryan, James Deegan
Referee: John Roche