Cloney progress with strong team display

Donacloney 3

Ards Rangers Res 1

Donacloney hosted Ards Rangers Reserves in the first round of the Junior Cup on Saturday past.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and did manage to take the lead on 35 minutes when a clearance from McKinley fortuitously bounced of the Rangers attacker to spin past a hapless Stevenson.

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In the second half it was the Cloney who took the initiative. The early pressure paid off as Cloney too benefited from a slice of luck. A corner was caught by the keeper who tried to distribute for an early counter only to see the ball rebound of a defender’s head leaving Rusk the simplest of tasks to poke the ball over the line.

This gave the Cloney the momentum required as they took control of the game, creating good openings while restricting their opponents.

Cloney took the lead with 20 minutes remaining. A long goal kick from Stevenson was flicked on by Leckey, Shields race onto the ball and fired in a great cross for Rusk to power home a header.

Cloney soaked up the remaining pressure from Ards and retained a threat on the counter.

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With full time approaching Cloney countered again to put the game out of reach, a Rangers corner was cleared to Leckey in his own half and he raced the length of the pitch and calmly finished past the approaching keeper.

It would be unfair to pick out any individual performance as everyone involved played to their potential and carried out their duties in a great team performance.

Cloney would like to thank David Fleming of the Village Inn, Waringstown for hosting the post match refreshments, with the help of Pat and Stephen.

While further gratitude is extended for the Match Ball Sponsorship provided by the Village Inn.

Team- Stevenson, Sterritt, McKinley, Knox, Waterson, Higgins, Pete, Woods, Shields, Rusk, Leckey. Subs- Carson, Stokes, Wilson.

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