Caw drop points in local derby

SECOND Division leaders Caw had to settle for a point following this hard fought encounter at Irish Street, on Saturday.

The visitors started poorly and the fact that they were missing some key players was showing, Irish Street were dominating the midfield and playing some good football, but they never really created much in front of the Caw net.

As you'd expect in a derby match the tackles were flying in all over the pitch and the game was being played at a real high tempo but neither goalkeeper was troubled.

Nearing the end of the first half Irish Street were on top, pressuring Caw all over the pitch and causing problems for their back four who took a bit of time to get settled into the game. The home side were unlucky not to be in front at the half time break, but the half ended scoreless.

Caw made a few changes in the second half and started brightly with man of the match Connor Kelpie involved in some great link up play and individual skill.

Caw were now passing the ball a lot better and their movement off the ball was causing some problems for Irish Street. Some good build up play from Caw in midfield saw a fine ball zipped into the box which Gary Harris managed to get on the end of and poke into the Irish Street net.

The visitors now had something to hold on to and upped their game looking for a second but again Irish Street were not giving an inch and kept up their pressure all over the pitch. The points looked destined to go to Caw until they gave away a free kick on the edge of their own box on the 85th minute.

The resulting free-kick was whipped into the back post where it was met by the head of an Irish Street defender and the ball just looped passed big Fiffer and into the Caw net.

Caw just couldn't hang on to their lead and a draw was probably a fair result. The only positive Caw could take from the weekend was that their nearest rival Newbuildings United Res suffered to a 4-2 defeat away to Donemana, which meant that Caw are now four points clear at the top having played a game more that Newbuildings United Res.

Caw face another tough test this week in the shape of Tullyally Colts in the City Cup and with Caw picking up a few more injuries at the weekend, it's unsure what kind of team they will field against the First Division side.