Football: Purvis hits winner for Cookstown RBL

Cookstown RBL dominated the first half of this game and had numerous chances to take the lead but had to settle with a scoreless draw at half-time.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2016, 07:38 BST
Cookstown RBL Captain Gary Donaldson receives the match ball from Mark Hagan on behalf of FH Trading Coagh who sponsored yesterday's match against FC WhiteabbeyCookstown RBL Captain Gary Donaldson receives the match ball from Mark Hagan on behalf of FH Trading Coagh who sponsored yesterday's match against FC Whiteabbey
Cookstown RBL Captain Gary Donaldson receives the match ball from Mark Hagan on behalf of FH Trading Coagh who sponsored yesterday's match against FC Whiteabbey

Early in the second half Stephen Purvis landed a perfect flick on to Steven Ramsey on the left wing, Ramsey then crossed a peach of a ball into the box were James McPartland was on hand to slot home a well worked goal to give the RBL a deserved lead.

Whiteabbey levelled the game ten minutes later when the RBL defence failed to clear a cross from the left wing and the Whiteabbey centre forward stole in to make a very exciting finish to the game.

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Both sides missed chances before Benny Gray passed to James McPartland on the right wing and McPartland played an inch perfect ball to the back post for Stephen Purvis to head home the winner.

Purvis was unlucky not to add to his tally when he headed a cross from a corner onto the crossbar. This was a good all round performance by the RBL side and deserved win to keep up their recent good form.

This Saturday RBL are at home in a league match at Beechway against Newington Youth seconds with a 2pm kick-off.

A team representing the club are running the Belfast marathon on 2nd May in aid of Alzhiemers society and would ask anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause by logging onto https://www.justgiving.com/richard-mcpartland/ and their donations will be greatly appreciated by the club and especially the marathon runners who will be tired and sore for their efforts.