5th April 2008 2008

Kilroot Rec v Temple Rangers at the beltoy.

With the early morning sunshine glistenning across the well prepared surface of the Beltoy, it seemed that the stage was set for what some have billed, the six point shoot out at the ok coral.

However what would be clear today is that relegation would not be won or lost but wether the progress Kilroot have shown over the last three weeks can be maintained against an ever growing expectation which would be sorely tested by a Temple side who themselves have been growing in confidence.

Indeed having done so well at Abbey last week it was home to Temple and who would the Gods be smilling on today.

The first signs weren't good for Kilroot as the dreaded Flu virus appears to be ripping through the ranks, it was going to be yet another week of changes with stalwart Stuart Hamilton at the back out with Flu, the experienced and sensitive nose of Robbie Kennedy also running fowl of the bug and the young rising star of Kilroot, Ryan Large finding the wait of fame too much for his wee knee to carry following last weeks injury.

Not all doom and gloom as in comes Norman Kernaghan and returning from plastic surgery Barry Meek.

The game started lively enough for Kilroot and the preaching of preperation, preperation, preperation, seems to be having the right effect as after 5 minutes the consistant Barry Meek put in an excellent cross at which the temple keeper could only flap at, and the ball fell to Wallace Nelson whose shot from 15 yards was turned into the Temple net by the allert Brian Anderson.

1 - 0 Kilroot

However as Kilroot then looked to build on this early domminence they were met by a dogged Temple helped by some picky refereeing that led to a bit of a cancelling out of any real chances or open football. Half Time 1 - 0.

With the gloom starting to settle across a now damp dull Beltoy management demanded more from what appeared to be a tired lack lustre performance, perhaps effected by the pressure of this six pointer.

Kilroot seemed to start the livelier in the second half with some good crossing just failing to find a target, however it was during one of these surges that Temple broke and a long ball over the top failed to be dealt with and found its way to the Temple forward who finnished well from 20 yards past the advancing Priestley. 1 - 1.

This gave Temple renewed emphasis and they pressed hard, firstly calling for a penalty in a goalmouth scramble then on 60 minutes a solo run and shot from the left winger looked to be sneaking in at the post only to see the superb accrobatics of a diving Priestley turn the ball past the post with one hand. Deffinintely worth a 6.0 for that dive.

The game then settled into mediocracy again with both teams cancelling each other out and the only ray of sunshine coming from the referees constant stopping of the game to produce some sun from his yellow card.

Tony Mathews came on for Gary McCahon who couldn't find the right cards to play against the poker faced Temple defence.

On 78 minutes Tony Mathews then swung in a superbly waited cross to the back post were for once Kilroot managed to get on the end with Colin Martin heading the ball down for Wallace Nelson to shoot home from 7 yards and a hard earned winner.

Kilroot 2 Temple 1

Finally thanks to all those who participated in the disco karaoke fundraising night at the Windrose Restaurant.

9th February 2008

KILROOT LEAP OF THE BOTTOM

This was a reverse of last weeks 2nd team derby fixture with Grange first team returning and looking to seek some revenge for that defeat it wasn't going to be easy.

The promising efforts in recent weeks followed by the recent signing of experienced campaigners Norman Kernaghan and Robbie Kennedy has helped to ensure that competition for first team places is getting tougher in all positions.

That was underligned on Saturday when Kilroot came out fighting and firing on all cylinders from the first whistle.

With just 2mins gone a Neil McKee cross into the box was only cleared to Ryan Large who continued his fine form from last week by hitting another superb shot from 20 yards into the top right hand corner. 1-0 Kilroot.

12 mins gone and the influential Norman kernaghan passed to Simon Hamilton to hit an unstoppable rocket from 30 yards into the top left hand corner. 2-0

33mins Kilroot earn a free kick just outside the 18 yard and with quick thinking from Norman Kernaghan played a quick pass to Steven Smyth who was clearly pushed to the ground. Wallace Nelson stepped up to convert the penalty. 3-0.

Grange had their chances to and underligned their threat with a 35 minute header cleared of the line by Stuart Hamilton.

In the second half Kilroot continued their good form from defense out and whilst Grange continued to battle their cause was not helped by a lunging tackle on Norman Kernaghan giving the referee no option but to produce a red card.

Soon After a Stuart Hamilton header to on 58 minutes that was picked up in midfield by Wallace Nelson to go on a mazy run beating 2 defenders and only a diving save by the Grange goalkeeper prevented one of the goals of the season.

66mins a corner from Neil McKee found Ryan Large who struck home superbly from 12 yards. 4-0.

10 man Grange continued to press and on 70 mins a mistimed tackle by the consistant Barry Meeke resulted in a penalty. 4-1

Kilroot substitutions were made with kennedy replacing McCahon, Mckee replaced by Crockett and Simon Hamilton replaced by Trevor Cole.

On 80 mins a run by Kennedy was crossed to the oncoming Trevor Cole to score from 8 yards.

A rare lapse of concentration at the back resulted in a cross to the back post were the unmarked Grange forward controlled and scored to make it 5-2.

The final say was to got to Kilroot and it was a Stuart Hamilton clearance picked up by Norman Kernaghan who threaded it throughto Wallace Nelson who ran on and made no mistake rounding the goalkeeper to make it 6-2.

A well deserved victory.

February 2nd 2008

Kilroot Young Guns

It was a cold wet windy afternoon at the Beltoy, but what a ray of sunshine was served up by the young guns of the wee rec under the watchful eye of "Granpa Puskey".

With no first team game managers Dee Dee and Wes guided by Uncle Phill  showed great loyalty to those who went so close the week before and with enough players for 2 teams much credit must go to those who support the lads while waiting on their big chance.

The game started very lively for the wee rec obviously bennefiting from Jimmy's preperation and pre match talk they went about their business clearly hungary for success.

Kilroot opened the scoring through the determined efforts of Wallace Nelson who fighting to win the ball on the bye line managed to square it accross goal only for the full back to put it into his own net.

In the second half it look liked kilroot might suffer the nightmare of too many missed chances from the likes of Michael Deignan, Phillip Meeke Tony Mathews and wallace Nelson when grange forced home the ball at the back post despite suspicions of hand ball.

With the pressure boiling before a capacity crowd it was turning out to be a dull day in more ways than one until the place was lit up by a young newbee with an eye on stardom. In the final minute a kilroot attack and cross was punched out by the advancing Grange goalkeeper to the touch line near half way. Having thought he had cleared the danger the ball was picked up by Ryan Large who after getting it under control composed himself to strike the ball from 40 yards.

A shout of encouragement went out, this was soon followed by a silence as everyone held their breath. The ball was well struck and while it seemed to take an eternity it was a delight to watch as the pace, height and swerve took it beyond the diving and stretching defenders and goalkeeper into the net for a wonder goal worthy of winning any match.

Kilroot Rec II 2 Grange Rngrs 1

Well Done the Lads, First of Many.

Kilroot Rec Christmas Dinner

Where - Windrose 

When - 8th December