RBL grind out win over AFC Carrick

COOKSTOWN RBL entertained AFC Carrick at the Fairhill on another sunny day.

With so many players unavailable due to other commitments the RBL had their work cut out against a team who had just scored seven goals the week before.

Cookstown settled into their stride quickly and had the first of the chances. James McPartland had a chance but squandered it and with so much pressure it was corner after corner - but the RBL players could just not put the finishing touch that would have led to a goal.

Ths AFC Carrick keeper was having a great game denying McMenemy and Ally Young goal scoring opportunities.

Dean Campbell missed a great opportunity to score from a corner while AFC Carrick were relying on the long ball to cause problems - and it was one of them through that sprung the RBL offside trap and only the heroics of Neil Young denied them the opening goal.

The RBL started the second half with great urgency. Ally Young and McMenemy were starting to play well and they carved open the Carrick defence with a nice one-two only for Young to put the ball wide.

Then Young over on the right wing turned his man on the half way line proceeded to take the ball past two more defenders and from 25 yards lobbed the keeper only to see his effort go agonisingly over the bar.

Even aron McPartland making his first start got in on the act with his daring runs down the left wing

A goal had to come - and it finally arrived when a scramble in the Carrick box ended with Ally Young conecting sweetly to drive the ball high into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Quickly the score doubled with McGarvey dancing his way around three of the Carrick back line and rounding the keeper to make it 2-0.

James McPartland had a great chance to get on the score sheet but from inches out managed to put the ball the wrong side of the post.
With the game seemly over Carrick did get on the score sheet with a late goal that caught the RBL back four napping.

Next week Cookstown RBL are at home to second place team Whiteabbey (2pm at Beechway).

Team: N Young, S Young, L Mitchell, L Hampson, D Campbell, A McPartland, P McGarvey, J McPartland, B Reid, R McMenemy, A Young.