Seapatrick stalemate

Seapatrick.....................0

Markethill Swifts..........0

WITH both teams missing key players in this Intermediate A fixture it was obvious that it would be an evenly contested game.

It was Seapatrick that had the first effort on goal with Aaron McAvoy testing the Markethill ‘keeper after three minutes.

Jonny Black then had an effort at the other end just go narrowly wide. Jonny Kerr then won the ball in the air for the Village and as Darren McGrath latched onto the loose ball he drove towards goal but his first time effort was saved by the feet of the ‘keeper.

Markethill’s stand in front man was then unlucky on two occassions as he saw an overhead kick saved by Fletcher and then Marty Buchanan clear his goalbound effort of the line.

Seapatrick are at their best when they keep the ball on the ground and were unlucky as Davy Dawson played in Andy Chambers who’s ball to the back post picked out Paul Frazer. Frazer delayed his shot as he tried to pick his spot the big Markethill stopper saved when it looked as if the ball would hit the net.

The half ended with Markethill sending over a corner and a free header at the back post sailing over the bar. Seapatrick, even though they had chances were pretty awful in the first half but they started the second half in different fashion.

They started to play their passing game and it was certainly becoming effective. Aaron McAvoy picked up a ball in the middle of the park and played a quick ball to Andy Chambers, Chambers weaved his way into the box and as he squared Jonny Kerr lashed an effort goalwards only for the ‘keeper to save.

Darren McGrath was the next to try his luck. He cut in diagonally from the right and as he made his way into the box his shot sailed over the bar. Andy Chambers was then unlucky after some great build up play from Kerr and Frazer saw the midfielder shoot at the ‘keeper.

Adam Kerr rescued the Village at the other end as he cleared of the line from a John Whitten front post effort.

Fletcher then came to the rescue as he made a great save from the rebound. Aaron McAvoy was then caught ball watching on the edge of his own box. He was robbed of possesion and as the ball was threaded into the box ‘keeper Fletcher made another great save from the resultant shot to save the midfielder from any blushes.

Seapatrick broke upfield yet again and Tony Graham cheekily tried to chip the ‘keeper only for him to stretch to make the save. With a couple of minutes on the clock the Village were still pushing for the winner.

Andy Chambers played a 20 yard crossfield pass to Tony Graham and as Graham raced clear he steadied hmself at the backpost and as he unleashed what looked an unstoppable shot the Markethill keeper somehow managed to keep it out. The ball was then played upfield and Markethill were unlucky as they saw a shot sail over the bar.

Deep into injury time Seapatrick still wanted that winner and as the ball came to Brendan D’Arcy in the box the tricky winger was completely pushed of the ball only for the referee to wave play on and blow his whistle for full time. A much improved performance in the second half showed that Seapatrick can play football when the ball is played into feet. Next week see’s Seapatrick home to Crewe United.

Team: Kris Fletcher, Adam Kerr, Aaron Buchanan, Marty Buchanan, Davy Dawson, Darren McGrath, Andy Chambers, Stephen Campbell, Aaron McAvoy, Jonny Kerr, Paul Frazer, Tony Graham, Brendan D’Arcy.

Seapatrick would like to thank everyone who attended their recent quiz in Banbridge Hockey Club. They would like to thank in particular Banbridge Rangers and Tandragee Spar as they both sent teams to support the evening.

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