Dergview...1 Lisburn Distillery...1
The first team can move into the top half of the table with victory over basement boys Donegal Celtic at Darragh Park this evening (Tuesday). On Saturday the Castlederg side stretched their unbeaten run to six games following a dour 1-1 draw against already relegated Lisburn Distillery.
An 18th minute goal by Nathan Cashel put the home side ahead however a Patrick Pearce strike in the opening minutes of the second half earned the New Grosvenor men a share of the spoils. With regular fullbacks Gareth Porter and Jude Ballard both suspended and centre-back Lee Warnock unavailable, the hosts began with a new-look back four
.
Richard Lynch and recent signing James McClay filled the fullback roles with Dylan Forbes slotting in alongside skipper Colin Robinson at the heart of the home defence. In front of that was the midfield four of Blaine Burns, Matty Buchanan, Aaron Arkinson and Cashel with Duwayne McManus offering support to spearhead Aaron Patterson.
Dergview began on the front foot and the hosts almost grabbed an early lead when a McClay corner kick was scrambled clear with the help of a good save and rebound off the near post.
The visitors, whose results have improved significantly since losing their battle against the drop, were struggling to contend with the threat of wide men Arkinson and Cashel, in particular. And it was that man Cashel who opened the scoring. A long, searching pass by McClay had the Distillery defence scrambling. Cashel dashed in from the left, knocked the ball around the advancing keeper and collected it before steering into a gaping net.
Moments later Arkinson almost doubled the advantage. This time Cashel turned provider but Arkinson's stinging effort was well saved by the Distillery goalkeeper.
At the other end Corey Wilson pulled off an excellent stop, however, it was an uncharacteristic handling error by the net-minder, which allowed Pearce to level in the opening moments of the second half. The goalkeeper failed to hold the ball following a corner kick and Pearce was on hand to level with a free header.
Thereafter the second half proved something of a non-event, the only opportunity of note fell to Cashel but on this occasion the Kesh man dilly-dallied on the ball and a backtracking defender got back to clear. The Castlederg men now turn their thoughts to this evening's clash at home to DC (kick-off 8pm).
Again manager Richard Clarke, who was absent from the sidelines on Saturday after wife Karen gave birth to twin boys last week, will be forced into a number of changes.
Both Robinson and Buchanan stand suspended after picking up five yellow cards although Porter, Ballard and Warnock will all be available for selection again. Attacker Andy Sproule is likely to be added to the squad as Dergview bid to end the season with something of a flourish.
Following this evening's game, Ballyclare Comrades are the visitors to Darragh Park on Saturday before Clarke's men host HW Welders on Tuesday, April 26 and Lurgan Celtic on Thursday, April 28.
The final game is away to Knockbreda on Saturday, April 30.
Dergview: Wilson, McManus, McClay, Forbes, Robinson, M. Buchanan, Burns, Cashel, Arkinson, Lynch, Patterson.
Subs: A. Buchanan (not used), G. Lecky (not used), M. Lecky (replaced Patterson 58), Higginbotham (replaced Forbes 80), Deery (not used).
Lisburn Distillery: Brown, Pierce, Burns, Gibson, Begley, Chapman, McDonnell, McIlhagga, Roohi, Knipe, Graingersubs Doyle (replaced Grainger 72), Murtagh (replaced Knipe 72), Trohear (replaced Roohi 89)
Referee: Kevin Taggart
Dergview's Dylan Forbes tussles with a Lisburn Distillery player during their 1-1 draw at Darragh Park