Hamilton uses his head

Kelly (20); Hamilton (78)

Limavady Rugby Club Res...(1) 1

Irwin (33)

SECOND Division leaders Churchill United were narrow winners over a battling Limavady Rugby Reserves, at wind and rain swept Wilton Park, on Saturday.

Full-back Adam Hamilton was the home side’s match winner when his glancing header late-on secured the points and also extended their unbeaten run to five games.

The Waterside men broke the deadlock after a major defensive mix up with keeper Rory Devlin and defender Nathan Harkin.

Paul Doherty’s cross on 20 minutes saw keeper Devlin rush from his line but he didn’t call and Harkin’s poor defensive header fell perfectly for the alert John Kelly and he calmly side footed the ball into the empty net.

After that defensive mistake it was the visitors who started to get the upper hand in the game and they missed a great chance to level things minutes later.

Liam O’Kane’s centre was misjudged by Barry Gillespie, but fortunately for the defender Anthony Boyle’s attempted volley was missed and Darren McLaughlin’s follow-up shot from the edge of the box, flew well over the bar.

Just after the half-hour mark some super movement by Kelly saw him latch onto Doherty’s inch perfect cross, but the striker’s close range header didn’t trouble Devlin.

That miss came back to haunt the home side as the Roesiders deservedly levelled things on 33 minutes.

Midfielder Matt Irwin burst into the Churchill box before bravely firing past an out-rushing Ryan Wiley.

Early in the second half Jarlath Canning fired over after Stefan Healy’s in-swinging centre caused problems in the visitors’ penalty box.

Just after the hour mark United had strong claims for a penalty when Cathal O’Kane’s corner seemed to be blocked on the line by a hand, but referee John Curran waved away the home side’s complaints.

On 74 minutes John Kelly fired over from just inside the box, after substitute Robbie Lyttle’s jinking run and pass had created the chance.

Soon after, a poor back pass by Hamilton saw Boyle latch onto it, but luckily for the defender his keeper Wiley did well to divert the striker’s goal bound shot.

That let-off seemed to spark life into the Wilton Park men and they scored what turned out to be the winner when on 78 minutes O’Kane’s teasing free-kick found an unmarked Hamilton and he gleefully headed home from close range.

Churchill United: Ryan Wiley, Barry Gillespie, Adam Hamilton, Kevin Whoriskey, Noel Hawthorne, Stefan Healy, Jason Donnell, Noel Coyle, John Kelly, Paul Doherty, Jarlath Canning. Subs: Leslie Nutt, Cathal O’Kane, Robbie Lyttle, Andy Clenaghan.

Limavady Rugby Club Res: Rory Devlin, Philip Mullan, Daniel Dougherty, Nathan Harkin, Mickey McMullan, Liam O’Kane, Darren McLaughlin, Steven Young, Anthony Boyle, Matt Irwin, Jamie Hartin. Subs: Stevie Nesbitt, Ryan McLaughlin, John Cartey, Barry Semple.

Referee: Mr John Curran.