Riada seal perfect record on the road

Dromore FC 1 v 2 Riada FC

RIADA won their last away game against Dromore in Limavady on Saturday, and this meant they have a remarkable 100% record on the road this season.

Dromore have improved dramatically this season, and Riada found them difficult opposition.

In a game similar to their previous win over Garvagh, Riada were in stubborn form defensively and restricted Dromore to very few chances throughout the game.

The pitch was not in good condition and both teams struggled to pass the ball well. The first chance fell to Dromore on 10 mins, but Bryan Moore made a good save to his left.

Riada started to pressure the home side and they created two chances, McCann shooting wide and Simon Ryder was very unlucky when he hit the crossbar.

Riada made the breakthrough on 30 minutes, when a perfect cross by Johnny Kearns from the left was powerfully headed home by Ty Armstrong.

The half ended one nil, with no further chances.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was uneventful until Peter Cairns introduced Mark McKane from the bench.

McKane, who is recovering from an ankle injury came on and introduced some spark into Riada’s attack.

He immediately had a shot saved, and five minutes later had another effort which was parried by the keeper into the path of Vance Brownlow, who made it two nil.

McKane then had to go off after a recurrence of his injury, but his brief appearance may have been enough to swing the game in Riada’s favour.

Dromore then applied some pressure of their own and got themselves back into the game on 80 minutes.

The Riada defence were caught out at the back post, and Heaney slotted home to make it 2–1.

The last ten minutes were played out with neither team really threatening. This was a great result for Riada, who are now within touching distance of the league title. Ballymoney Olympic did Riada a huge favour by taking points of second placed Upperlands in a two all draw. Riada need five points from their last three games to lift the title and they host Portrush on Wednesday at the Joey Dunlop Centre, kick off is 18.45. Thank you to Trudy’s Hairdressers for sponsoring the match.