Stefan is spot on with brace as Mills back to flying high

Stefan is spot on with brace as Mills back to flying high

12 December 2018

BACK-TO-BACK fixtures can sometimes prove to be a tricky affair, but following last week’s impressive victory away to Crumlin United, the Mills carried on where they left off at Meadowvale on Saturday to bag another three points.

Kicking off with a strong breeze at their backs, Drumaness imposed their dominance right from the start. In only the third minute a short corner on the left, saw Ruari Fitzpatrick dribble his way along the byline and play the ball across the box where Michael Magee stretched, but just failed to make proper contact.

In the sixth minute the Mills took the lead when Fitzpatrick again weaved his magic through the heart of the visitors’ defence and played in Stefan Mason. 

A chase for the ball saw United ‘keeper Stephen McCullagh bring down Mason and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Mason got up to place the ball confidently in the top left corner.

Crumlin almost grabbed a quick equaliser when Ryan Gorman curled a 25 yard free kick around the Mills wall. The ball was heading towards the top right corner when Ryan Campbell rose magnificently to tip around for a corner. 

When the Mills were awarded a free kick at the other end, Magee must have had a feeling of deja vu, as it was in an identical position to his first goal from last week. 

This time, however, McCullagh dived to save the curling shot at the foot of the post. The visitors wasted a good chance to equalise when John Donnan broke clear down the right and an inch-perfect cross into the box was met with a first-time volley from Andrew Mooney eight yards out. 

But Campbell once again reacted brilliantly to tip the ball away. 

Drumaness then had strong appeal for another penalty turned down when Conor McCarron sent Tom McDonald clear down the right. Cutting inside the box, an obvious push in the back sent the young winger to the floor, but the referee waved play on.

Just before the break the Mills thought they had increased their lead following a succession of corners. A Fitzpatrick kick from the right was headed down by Steven Deegan at the far post, causing a scramble in the visitors’ box. 

When the ball fell to Tommy McConville on the six yard line, he cleverly back-heeled the ball into the net. 

Celebrations were short-lived, however, when the referee judged McConville to be offside, despite the ‘keeper and two defenders still on the goal-line from the original corner.

A Drumaness corner at the start of the second period was hastily cleared up-field and saw Donnan break down the left. His cross into the Mills box found Conor Totten, who trapped the ball, turned his marker and fired goalwards, only for Campbell to make another great save. 

It was to be Crumlin’s last chance of the game as the Mills completely dominated the second period and actually played better against the strong breeze. 

It was only a matter of time before they increased their lead and another piece of magic from Fitzpatrick provided the opportunity. 

An excellent cross-field pass from Conall Corrigan sent Fitzpatrick down the left. Cutting inside the box, some clever footwork mesmerised defender Ryan McPhillips, who awkwardly brought down the winger. Stefan Mason stepped up again to drill the penalty kick past McCullagh for his second.

Some neat exchanges between skipper Gary Murdock and McCarron in the middle, sent Mason clear down the right. But from a tight angle, a hammered shot went inches over.

Mason was the scourge of the visitors’ defence again when put in the clear by Christian Holland. A drilled cross from the byline found substitute Ryan Fitzpatrick arriving at the back post. He cut inside his marker and fired goalwards only for McCullagh to turn around for a corner. 

The Mills’ relentless pressure for a third goal continued right to the end. Deegan and Fitzpatrick worked their way across the Crumlin penalty area before a clever pass inside the full back gave McDonald another shot on goal, which McCullagh miraculously turned away.

The third goal did eventually arrive with two minutes remaining. Holland surged down the left and played a one-two with Fitzpatrick on the edge of the visitors’ box. 

A cross from the byline found McDonald rushing in at the near post. His first-time effort was initially blocked by McCullagh, but the young striker was alert to the rebound and coolly slotted home from three yards out.

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Drumaness Mills 3

Crumlin United 0

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