Roe men battle to deserved victory

Burndennett...1

In only their fifth league game, Roe Rovers secured a further three points in their quest for league honours, but once again, the win was hard earned as they had to see off a spirited Burndennet team.

In the opening 25 minutes Rovers were coasting and such was their dominance, Burndennet never touched the ball and were never in Rovers 18 yard box but the home side could not find the killer touch to finish off their chances.

On the half hour mark Burndennet took the lead against the run of play when a free kick was lumped into the Rovers penalty area and McGettigan headed back across the six yard box a Burndennett player tapped into the net from close range.

Rovers kept working hard for the remainder of the half and got on level terms in the 45 minute through Nicholl, a good finish after some great build up play involving Woods, Mullan and Doran.

In the second half it was more of the same from Rovers, good possession, good interplay but the need to finish off their chances.

Just when it seemed Rovers would go on to easily win the game they shot themselves in the foot, giving away a soft penalty. But lady luck saw the Burndennett player blaze over the bar.

The Limavady men took the lead through Doran when a cross come shot sailed over the keepers head and nestled in the back of the net.

The Roesiders went further ahead when Nicholl got his second of the afternoon when he followed up and side footed into an empty net from six yards out to give Rovers a deserved lead.

Then the visitors were awarded a controversy penalty but O’Brien made a brilliant save and also was very brave with the follow up save, an excellent piece of goalkeeping and just reward for Rovers.

Rovers maintained the good football and should have went further ahead after carving out great opportunities but were delighted to secure a further three points and add to their unbeaten league record for the season thus far.

The moment of the match and probably the season was an exquisite piece of skill from Billy Doran.

Doran was in a one to one situation along the bye-line and as he approached the defender, a yard apart and face on, he flicked the ball up over the defenders head, ran around him and collected the ball but his shot come off the left had upright.

An outrageous piece of skill and something which would grace the English Premiership any week. Such was the appreciation of the crowd that there was a instantaneous round of applause.

Given that the season has been stop start so far this performance and this result was an extension of the hard work and commitment which is going in at training week in and week out.

Rovers first team are away to Dungiven this weekend in the City Cup and then they have their final league game before the Christmas break, at lowly BBOB on Saturday, December 17.