First scalp taken by Limavady RFC

NEW boys Limavady Rugby Football Club picked up there first points on Saturday with a convincing win over Coleraine Tullans.

After two heavy defeats in the opening fixtures the pressure was on the Roe Valley team to pick up some points, and with a couple of key players injured and missing a victory was far from guaranteed.

Limavady started well, and started playing some excellent attacking football, and after a couple of half chances Gary McCormick beat 3 defenders smashing the ball home for the opening goal.

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Tullans nearly equalised against the run of play when a ball across the back line was cut out by a Tullans striker, only to be stopped by an excellent recovery tackle by Limavady right back Stevie McAleese, who was helped by his keeper.

Limavady continued to press hard, and could have been 3 up in the first twenty minutes, but the score line stayed at one nil until Gavin Moore scored with a wonder strike, bending the ball into the top left corner from 30 yards.

Tullans remained under intense pressure, and after 35 minutes Gary McCormack got his second, with some neat interplay with Steven Young, with McCormick slotting comfortably home to make it 3. Limavady nearly made it 4 on the stroke of half time, when Daniel O'Brien showed excellent skill on the right wing to escape from 3 Tullans defenders.

O'Brien slotted the ball into the box only for Eddie McDermott to shoot narrowly wide. With it all to do Tullans came out in the second half with a strong wind behind them, and combined with the heavy rain it made conditions in the second half difficult for Limavady.

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Within seconds of the restart Tullans had there second chance of the game which was thwarted excellently by the Limavady keeper who superbly tipped the shot over the top left corner of the goal.

The Limavady defensive line was coping well with the long balls that Tullans were pumping up the field, with Richard Robinson and Fergal Hartin dealing comfortably with everything the Tullans attack line could throw at them.

Tullans efforts did turn fruitful on the hour mark when Limavady's keeper dropped a speculative cross right at the feet of a Tullans player who only had the rain between him and the goals. Limavady made a number of changes, and each substitute immediately made a significant impact.

Paul Harkin carried the ball from right back into the box forcing an excellent finger tips save from the Tullans goalkeeper.

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Similarly, Simon Moore could have had a hat trick within 10 minutes of coming on, with some excellent link up play on the left with Mark Duddy.

The game ended 3-1 to Limavady, who were delighted to pick up there first scalp of the competitive season.

With a number of key players due to return over the coming weeks Limavady are sure to be optimistic about the rest of the season.

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