Curran nets brace for Strangford in cup clash

18 September 2024

STRANGFORD welcomed Amateur League 2C outfit Antrim Rovers to The Links for the first round of the Junior Cup on Saturday.

Strangford were coming into the game with a perfect win record in the McCalls Premier Division with Antrim having played one game less than their opponents in their respective league campaign.

The first 20 minutes of the match was fairly even with both sides having opportunities to open the scoring.

The first real chance came five minutes into the game with Christian Vaughan finding his Strangford team-mate Shéa Savage, who was quickly crowded out by the Antrim defence.

The Rovers made a counter attack with Thomas Bownes striking well but his effort was smartly stopped by Strangford goalkeeper Mario Atorrasagasti.

Antrim kept pushing with Ryan Killen’s header sailing wide before team-mate Ben Steele saw his free kick from the edge of the box fantastically saved by Atorrasagasti.

After soaking up the pressure, Strangford finally broke the deadlock with Vaughan’s cross making its way to the back post, where Owen Curran was there to head the ball into the back of the net.

Strangford followed this goal up with a few near misses although Antrim stayed in contention at the other end from another free kick opportunity.

Steele once again saw his set piece thwarted by Atorrasagasti, who made some brilliant saves during the first half to ensure Strangford’s one-goal advantage at the interval.

During the second half it was all Strangford as Antrim just could not find a way into the match.

Strangford’s second goal came in the 58th minute, courtesy of a fantastic free kick from Fionn McFall from just outside of his own half which left the Rovers goalkeeper with no chance.

McFall nearly netted his second goal two minutes later with another great strike, with the Antrim goalkeeper nowhere to be seen, but Bownes was

there to save his team-mate’s potential blushes. Strangford rang in the substitutions, with Darren Kelly making an appearance from the bench and it didn’t take long for him to make an impression.

Kelly’s strike proved too hot to handle and team-mate Curran was there to tap in the rebound, although this time it was adjudged to have been offside.

But, Strangford were not finished yet, and following promising attacking play from Shane Teggart through the middle of the pitch, with Michael Shields supporting, the ball made its way to Curran, whose strike was accurate enough to secure his second, and the home team’s third, goal of the day.

Strangford now comfortably move into the next round of the Junior Cup.

Strangford: M Atorrasagasti, L Tolan, M Shields, C Evans, F McFall, C Vaughan, S Teggart, R Reilly, S Savage, O Curran, R Shields. Subs: D Kelly, P Donnelly, O McElvogue.

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