Football: Johnny Young double helps Kilymoon to win in nine-goal thriller

The home side had several set plays early on and looked to use the conditions to their advantage.

Neill hit a fine volley on the turn from the edge of the area which forced a great save from Maybin but from the resulting corner he was picking the ball out of his own net.

McElhatton’s corner came in from the left hand side and the ball was flicked on for McCaw to slide the ball home to open the scoring.

The home side doubled the lead moments later through a wonderful strike into the top corner from range via Greer. Neill nearly got on the end of a McElhatton free kick but much to the Wakehurst relief the ball sailed harmlessly
wide

Mellon saw his cross cleared by the home defence before Gregg’s free kick was played into the danger zone but Dardis was able to see the danger out.

Wakehurst pulled a goal back after the 20 minute mark, Paul squeezed the ball home but Stewart will probably feel he could have kept it out.

But the home side almost immediately restored their two goal lead after great play down the left from Young, who found Neill unmarked and he placed the ball past the despairing Maybin.

In fact only great defending from skipper Stevenson denied a fourth for the home side.

A counter attack extended the lead further for Killymoon. Stewart punched Gregg’s free kick out of the penalty area with the ball finding his way to Greer.

Good work from him enabled him to put the cross into and unmarked Young to make it four for the home side.

Only great defending from Martin denied Wakehurst pulling a goal back before Young’s second of the game on the stroke of half time.

Donaghy received the ball in the left hand side and found space to get the cross in and Young was able to punish the slack visiting defence.

Tempers flared as the players made their way to the changing room for half time but the referee was able to get a hold of things thankfully.

The term tale of two halves was definitely evident in his encounter as Wakehurst came out a completely different team in the second half.

Laughin was not to be denied though as he pulled a goal back for the vistors. Gregg’s shot cannoned off the post and Laughin reacted the quickest to slot the ball past Stewart. Wakehurst scored again soon after.

Gregg’s corner came in and the ball was eventually bundled home, most likely via a home shirt to reduce the
gap.

Wakehurst thought they had reduced the scoreline to one goal but Crawford’s header from a corner was deemed to have been offside by the referee’s assistant.

Substitute Lemon made the last few minutes nervy for the home side after poking the ball home from the edge of the area.

Killymoon Rangers: Stewart, McCaw (1), Ferry, Neill (1), Martin, McElhatton, Greer (1), Hunter, Donaghy, Young (2), Dardis. Subs: Dunn, Scott, Leslie

Wakehurst: Maybin, Ross, Gage, Stevenson, Crawford, Mellon, Laughin (1), Young, Gregg, Paul (1), Gregg. Subs: McBride, Lemon, Armstrong, Parker, Curry

Up next for Killymoon is another home tie against Newington YC at 3pm.

The club in association with the Niamh Louise Foundation will be hosting a Poker night at the Royal Hotel, Cookstown next Saturday night with festivities kicking off at 7.30pm. Entry fee will be £10.