Drogs legend Bates makes scoring return to United Park
FORMER League of Ireland star Guy Bates marked his return to United Park with one goal and an assist as he inspired new club Boyne Harps to a big win over Duleek last Thursday night.
The 32-year-old, who previously had a spell with Blackbull in the NEFL, was most recently with Glenavon up North but has returned to play in Drogheda, where he famously clinched the League of Ireland title for the Drogs in 2007.
After mixed results before Christmas, this win keeps Boyne Harps’ own faint hopes of Premier Division glory alive, although with more games played than everyone else they could be well off the summit by the time they play their next league game in early February.
It wasn’t exactly plain sailing against relegated-threatened Duleek, who will feel they could have been virtually out of sight after a blistering start to the game.
Pete Brennan’s side grabbed the lead inside six minutes from a corner as Harps’ weakness from set pieces was exposed again, and only a brilliant goal-line clearance from James Traynor prevented Cormac McGroggan from doubling the visitors’ advantage.
There was more heroics from the Boyne Harps defence when Austin McCann got back to take the ball off the toe of Barry Kavanagh as he went to tap into the empty net after rounding goalkeeper Bryan Smith.
However, from the half-hour mark Harps got themselves together and went on to dominate the remainder of the match.
The equalising goal stemmed from some more fine approach play by Traynor whose cross from the left was met by Martin Kelly. The striker placed his effort just inside the post, leaving Duleek keeper Keith Martin rooted to the spot.
The scores remained level going into the half-time break, but Harps put themselves firmly in the driving seat with a quick-fire brace on the restart.
Kelly made it 2-1 in the 50th minute with a brilliant individual effort, flicking the ball over the covering defender before volleying past Martin from just inside the box.
Then Bates got in the act just before the hour mark, skilfully setting up the on-rushing Stephen Carter who still had plenty to do but took three good touches before rifling past Martin.
Carl Dowling was twice denied, first by the post and then by Martin’s brilliance, but on 82 minutes Bates put the icing on the cake with a fourth Harps goal.
Darren McCann broke from midfield, beating three players, and after losing the ball briefly won it back with a touch of good fortune.
Spotting the run of Bates, McCann timed his pass perfectly and Bates coolly rounded Martin before slotting to the net.
BOYNE HARPS: Bryan Smith, Kevin Walsh (Conor Healy), Austin McCann, Manny Smith, James Traynor, Carl Dowling (Dean Fitzpatrick), Tom Reilly (Mickey Leech), Darren McCann, Stephen Carter (Nathan Llewellyn), Martin Kelly, Guy Bates. Sub not used: Alan Wilton.
DULEEK: Keith Martin, Chris McDonnell (Junior Santos), Bryan Murphy, Jamie Flaherty, Caelan Duff, Matthew Noonan (Karl Dyas), James Burke, Gareth Toal (Colin Woods), James Guilfoyle, Cormac McGroggan, Barry Kavanagh.