Spoils are shared as Under 14s stage comeback in entertaining derby tie

Town Juniors U14s 2

Rathfriland 2

Town Juniors Under-14s and near neighbours Rathfriland produced a thrilling two all draw at Iveagh Park last Saturday morning.

It was very much a game of two halfs - the home side shading the first and the visitors dominating the second.

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There wasn’t much in it in the early exchanges, although Rathfriland did put pressure in the Juniors rearguard and they took the lead after ten minutes when Town failed to deal with a dangerous ball into the box and their striker found the corner of the net.

As Rathfriland played long balls up to their big striker Town’s centre half pairing of Enda Haddow and Reuben Turner delt with the aerial bombardment.

The home side doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when their number 10 hit a wonder strike from 30 yards into the top corner giving ‘keeper Jonathan Cartmill no chance.

Early in the second half Town began to take a grip in the middle of the park with Shea Winters and Cameron Sands beginning to find their passing and with Tom Mehaffey and Owen Vennard bombing down the flanks in was only a matter of time before they would get a goal.

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This goal did come 10 minutes into the half when the impressive Ben Johnston scored from a tight angle when he drilled a shot that took a slight deflection and sailed into the roof of the net.

They got their deserved equaliser when Cameron Sands played a beautiful weighted pass into Cameron Frizzel and the striker made no mistake when he shot low into the corner from the edge of the area.

As the Juniors went in search of the a winner they began to take a firm grip on the game and after yet another attack they won a free kick after Owen Vennard was scathed down by the onrushing goalkeeper.

Cameron Sands floated in resulting free kick only for the ‘keeper to fumble for Shea Winters to head into the empty net but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Juniors can take great heart from their second half performance, playing some neat football.