Sandyhill Shangan win heated derby against Ballymun United By Tom Rooney | on October 6, 2013 | 0 Comment AUL Our Headline News IMG_0051 Sandyhill Shangan 3 Ballymun Unitd 2 While Sandyhill Shangan will most likely be more relieved than elated in not only getting their first points of the season, but a first win, it will undoubtedly taste all the more sweeter that they managed to do so against neighbours, Ballymun United. From start to finish this local derby was a veritable powder keg and, at times, made the Old Firm equivalent look like a tickling contest. Each side had a player dismissed and an additional nine were cautioned, as both teams tackled like their life depended on it. The palpable animosity was not the only source of drama in Coultry Park; there were goals galore, plenty of hairy moments at both ends, and enough demonstrations of skill and guile to give an accurate indication what these sides are capable of when the moment takes them. For Sandyhill, today’s win could provide them with the required impetus to resurrect their season, as well as breathing some much-needed confidence into their camp. With WFTA withdrawing from the league, only one team will be relegated at the end of the season, and at this point, it looks as though they and Collinstown will be in a dog fight for the remainder of the the campaign to avoid the drop. Collinstown, also on three points, are ahead of Sandyhill on goal difference, so their collective fate rests on a knife-edge. If, and it’s a big if, they can apply themselves for the remainder of their games like they did today, there’s no reason Sandyhill cannot retain their divisional status. The likes of Jimmy Bell, Paul Creighton and Thomas Carroll have more than enough ability to ensure they do so. Ballymun now find themselves in somewhat of a slump, losing twice and drawing in their last three games and need to relocate their early season form if they wish to be in the mix come season’s end. They remain in third despite today’s loss, but Sheriff YC are only a point behind with four games in hand, and they host a misfiring Ayrfield United on Tuesday night, so the walls have begun to close in. Sandyhill were ahead in less than two minutes through Thomas Carroll, who rose unmarked to head home Robbie Doogan’s perfectly lofted free-kick from the halfway line. Ballymun had been caught somewhat flatfooted by Carroll’s goal, but regrouped with haste and were level three minutes later. Sandyhill surrendered their lead by playing too much in their own half, and when Ballymun recouped possession, Paul Mantando fed Barry Kavanagh and he squared it for Andrew Haran to side-foot past Stephen Robinson. Ballymun then assumed control of things as the hosts afforded them too much breathing room, however, without the suspended Colly O’Brien, they lacked their usual penetration and rarely threatened the Sandyhill goal. Indeed, it was Sandyhill’s Jimmy Bell that came closest to scoring again with a thunderous right foot volley that rattled the crossbar which, had it been an inch lower, would have been a contender for goal of the season. The battle for midfield dominance heated up after the break with Dean O’Brien of Ballymun and Sandyhill captain Keith Gavin going toe-to-toe in the middle of the park. Barry Kavanagh had the first two notable chances of the half, but failed to hit the target on both occasions. Daniel Murphy was sent off in the 53rd minute for a second bookable offence, which brought things closer to boiling point. Dave Rogers was compelled to adopt a 3-3-3 system to compensate for the man deficit and moved centre half Paddy O’Boyle up front. While Ballymun were adapting to the new formation, Sandyhill went in front. Having been laboriously moved in from the right side, the ball found it’s way to Paul Creighton, and after Stephen Trimble parried his first effort, he headed home the rebound and sent the place into pandemonium. Soon after Sandyhill’s Sean O’Reilly saw red, also for a second yellow card, which prompted Ballymun to throw the kitchen sink at them. Substitute Sam Dodd was outstanding on the left wing for the visitors as he sought to probe the Sandyhill box as often as possible, but the final ball was not forthcoming. In the 71st minute Keith Gavin found Creighton on the edge of the box, and he shot back across the goal, leaving Trimble no chance. Ballymun should have scored when Sheridan headed Dodd’s corner into the path of Kavanagh, but he failed to pull the trigger on time. With two minutes on the clock Sheridan scored and all in attendance held their breathe, but Sandyhill were resolute and dug in for a well-earned victory. Man of the Match : Sam Dodd. Only on for 25 minutes, but ignored the furore and went about his business. Looks like a serious prospect. Comments 0 comments
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 21:36:38 +0000
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