United sneak past Rangers
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Limavady United’s Peter Spratt kept himself busy at Ards on Saturday, putting in a good work rate.
ARDS RANGERS 1
LIMAVADY UNITED 2
THE post-Kearney era began for Limavady United with a hard earned win against Amateur League leaders Ards Rangers in the Intermediate Cup by two goals to one after extra time. The Roesiders were heading out of the cup until an inspired substitution in the second period of extra time gave Aaron Nash a competitive debut that the United followers will remember long after the wretched 90 minutes that preceded it have been consigned to oblivion. Nash's ten minute cameo included a late brace of goals in two minutes, the second of which was the subject of bitter protests by the home players who claimed that the ball had gone over the bye line earlier in the move. However the goal stood, and the visitors- who had been on the canvas with five minutes to go- were into the next round where they will face Crusaders Reserves at home this Saturday.
United started brightly, and Lee Patrick fired in a shot which the home keeper fumbled. Rangers responded by winning a corner which was knocked down to a lurking forward who mis-kicked when well placed. Then on nine minutes McCaughan had a shot on the turn which Cooke flicked goalwards, but his effort hit the post. Three minutes later United thought they had made the breakthrough, when Spratt shot, and the keeper spilled his shot straight to the advancing Cooke who tapped in from close range. The referee awarded toe goal, but then inexplicably overturned the decision for an apparent offside- presumably against Hutchinson, who was also following in. Cooke sought to make amends two minutes later, firing in from the left, and hitting the bar. Smart inter-passing between Walsh and Spratt then worked the ball to Hutchinson, but he shot straight at the keeper.
Rangers were very aggressive and made up for their limitations by pressing the play, and began to unsettle the visitors. Worryingly, the players began to lose their shape, and without the reassuring presence of Kearney on the sidelines they were in danger of losing their focus. However the half ended with much effort but no more chances.
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