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Aileach hold off Moville
15.09.11
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Aileach...3 (A. Doherty, McGrory, G. Doherty) Moville Celtic...2 (McElhinney 2) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Lakeside (Photo: Herbie Barr) AILEACH survived a stirring late Moville rally to claim all three points following an entertaining game in the driving rain at the Lakeside last Sunday afternoon. Three goals clear after an hour, the home team eventually held on for a 3-2 win and three more vital points to stretch their lead at the top and maintain a 100 per cent league record. Strikes from Anthony Doherty, Ciaran McGrory and Gavin Doherty appeared to have Bell’s men in cruise control but two late goals from Richie McElhinney almost led to a famous Moville comeback. Missing Tony McGeady and Eamon Reddin at the back, Moville were under heavy pressure in the first hour and could not handle sparkling Aileach winger Gary Collett, who was a constant threat on the left. Former Redcastle men Eddie McIntyre and Eamon Donnelly were also in fine tune for an experienced Aileach team that must now fancy a run at a first Premier League title. |
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Manager Darren Bredin’s
tactic of employing striker Nigel McMonagle wide on the
left did not pay off while the absence of PJ Barr in the
middle didn’t help the Moville cause. Brian Bell in particular must have been delighted to see McMonagle line up on the wing - the talented striker has caused the Aileach boss no end of trouble in recent seasons. With James Gillespie and Gavin Doherty bossing midfield, Aileach won the central battle to set-up scores of attacks and a platform for victory. The Inch men shocked Moville by taking the lead inside twenty seconds when Eddie McIntyre’s astute pass led to Gary Collett’s threatening cross from the right being flicked in at the near post by Anthony Doherty. Just over five minutes later Bell’s charges were two clear. This time McIntyre was involved again; his free-kick from the edge of the area fell fortuitously at the feet of Anthony Doherty who saw his shot well saved by Moville keeper Sean McGuinness before Ciaran McGrory fired home the rebound. Finally settling into the game, Moville, missing Eamon Reddin at the back, could have equalised soon after but Graeme Doherty’s header was blocked after good work by Joe Doherty. The ensuing corner then saw Raymond Campbell’s header cleared off the line before Shane Canning’s shot was saved by Aileach keeper Terry Feeney. |
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At the other end a
dangerous McIntyre cross was headed clear by Moville
full-back Conor McLoughlin before the same player set-up
Nigel McMonagle for a shot which was blocked by the
Aileach defence. Midway through the first-half Moville came within inches of a leveller. Gathering possession on the edge of the box, Joe Doherty was chopped down. The classy striker took the ensuing free-kick himself and was unlucky to see the ball crash off the crossbar with keeper Feeney well beaten. Keeping the pressure on, a long ball from Moville full-back Alan Orr was headed down by Richie McElhinney before Nigel McMonagle headed wide when well placed only eight yards out. Aileach dangerman Gary Collett then skipped clear on the left again but his fantastic cross failed to attract any finishing touches in the Moville area. Collett then fired over after latching onto Eamon Donnelly’s raking long pass and cutting inside Moville defender Conor McLoughlin. In the last action of the opening period a Joe Doherty headed flick sent Nigel McMonagle racing clear but the talented frontman failed to get his shot off in time and the ball was cleared by Damien Barr. Early in the second-half Aileach winger Anthony Doherty was denied brilliantly by Moville centre-half Darryl Doherty before keeper Terry Feeny was quickly out to thwart McElhinney at the other end. The home team struck a massive blow moments later when Eamon Donnelly’s free-kick from the left was headed home at the back post by Gavin Doherty. Refusing to give up the ghost, Moville were back in the hunt almost immediately when star man for the Foylesiders Richie McElhinney fired in from 20 yards after combining excellently with Nigel McMonagle, Graeme Doherty and Joe Doherty. Moville keeper Sean McGuinness then came to his team’s rescue, brilliantly saving a typical James Gillespie thunderbolt before Gavin Doherty skewed the rebound wide. Controlling the final 25 minutes of the match, Nigel McMonagle hit the side net from a tight angle before Richie McElhinney’s shot was well stopped by Feeney. With 15 minutes remaining Moville were right back in it. Joe Doherty, showing great feet on the edge of the area, brilliantly crafted an opening for McElhinney, who kept his cool in the Aileach box before clipping over Feeney into the net. In an intense finish to the game, Moville kept the pressure on with efforts by Graeme Doherty, McElhinney and McMonagle all going close. Cleverly running down the clock, Aileach held on for a vital win though. With nine points out of nine, Bell’s men will take a bit of catching now. Darren Bredin will know that Moville can afford no further slip-ups if they are to figure in the title chase. Aileach: Terry Feeney, Dermot Doherty, Declan O’Donnell, Eamon Donnelly, Damien Barr, James Gillespie, Anthony Doherty, Gavin Doherty, Ciaran McGrory, Eddie McIntyre, Gary Collett. Subs: Neil McElhinney, Damien Coyle, Stephen Doherty, Cathal McElhinney. Moville Celtic: Sean McGuinness, Conor McLoughlin, Alan Orr, Darryl Doherty, Anthony Maloney, Shane Canning, Raymond Campbell, Richie McElhinney, Joe Doherty, Graeme Doherty, Nigel McMonagle. Subs: PJ Barr, Dermot Harkin, Tony Boyce. Man of the Match Aileach’s Gavin Doherty and Eamon Donnelly were excellent all afternoon while Moville winger Richie McElhinney, who weighed in with two fine goals, was a constant threat. Celtic striker Joe Doherty also deserves a mention but the award goes to talented Aileach winger Gary Collett, who terrorised the Moville defence from the first whistle. He is a joy to watch and a nightmare for opposing defenders. Ref Watch Man in the middle Tom McAree had a fine afternoon. Handled any potential flashpoints very well and tried to let the game flow as much as possible. Could have cracked down on home time wasting towards the end but did play five minutes injury time so Moville will have few complaints. The Aileach bench was unhappy that a number of Moville players escaped yellow cards while home men were cautioned. Turning Point Aileach’s third goal, courtesy of Gavin Doherty, coming early in the second-half was a hammer blow to Moville, who were ultimately left to rue a number of missed opportunities. Joe Doherty’s effort which crashed off the crossbar towards the latter stages of the first-half was also a key moment. Had the ball dipped under the bar the visitors would have fancied their chances of earning at least a point. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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