Cloney 'kickstart' season

Donacloney 4 White City 1

DONACLONEY took on Dungannon side White City on Saturday past looking to kickstart their league campaign which had started with three defeats.

They were going into the game with some confidence after a battling performance against Mid-Ulster king pins Hill Street in their exit from the Junior Cup the previous week.

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Donacloney got off to a dream start as they found themselves in the lead after five minutes. A Chris Shields corner was only half cleared, Knox managed to hook it back into the box to Lance Watson, to cross for his centre half partner Andrew Woods to guide home on his home debut.

The joy was short lived as White City soon levelled the scores.

Cloney then upped the tempo and soon found themselves creating openings against their opponents. Knox came close as he deflected a Shields free kick on the post when it may have been easier to score. By the 20 minute mark they had regained the lead as Chris Vallely poked past the keeper for his first goal for the club, from a Gareth McAdam through ball.

McAdam then shot wide when well placed, while Watson also saw a free kick go narrowly wide as Cloney continued to press before the break.

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Just before the half-time interval Cloney extended their lead to 3-1 as Karl Diven scored a superb individual effort cutting inside from the right and beating three men before slamming home with a powerful drive from 12 yards.

After the break White City come into the game more, as Cloney struggled to find any fluidity in their play. Although City improved they never really troubled the Cloney backline of Watson, Woods, McKinley and Carson, with Maxwell never called into action to make any saves of note.

Cloney spurned a few opportunities to increase their lead and kill the game off. The best of the opportunities seeing Shields shoot wide when well positioned and Steven Leckey superbly tackled when about to pull the trigger.

Cloney did eventually add a fourth when Diven scored his second with a free header at the back post from a Leckey cross with 10 minutes remaining.

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Best on the day for Cloney was Karl Diven who impressed with his direct running and picked up two goals to complete a fine display.

Donacloney Reserves were on the wrong end of a 2-1 result against Lurgan United, with Connon the scorer for the village side.