Hard-earned draw keeps Redeemer dreams alive

Gladyz put them ahead after only two minutes, and while goalkeeper David Lynch got his hands to Carr’s powerful shot he couldn’t keep it out of his net to double the home side’s advantage.

But there was an air of complacency about Redeemer and slipshod defending enabled the visitors to pull a goal back after 15 minutes. The concession of an un-necessary throw-in followed by a terrible mix-up presented Lee Wright with an open goal to stroke the ball into after 15 minutes when goalkeeper Dane Harrison dashed off his line and Paul Gartland headed the ball for it to fall straight at the feet of the unmarked striker.

Redeemer weren’t helped by a casualness and lack of conviction to finish off the most clear-cut of openings at the other end.

They paid the full price for yielding a needless corner kick and non-existent marking in a crowded goalmouth as Aidan McGuinness headed the equaliser on 21 minutes.

Stephen Grimes wasted the first of two glorious chances for Redeemer to regain the lead. The unselfish Gladyz turned inside a defender in the box but opted when he had the time and space to score to roll the ball to the far post to Grimes completely on his own, but what looked a tap-in was saved at the foot of the post by Lynch.

Over elaboration cost Redeemer another goal when Gladyz was sprung clear of the Rampart defence from a quickly taken free kick. With Lynch again completely exposed he chose to roll the ball across the face of goal to Carr . However, the latter was in an offside position.

These misses coupled with their poor defending cost them more dearly when defender Shane English was penalised for handling the ball inside his penalty box, and Killian De Roever confidently converted the kick just before the whistle for half-time.

Redeemer having played with the stiff wind, woke up to the fact the title was slipping away from them , largely through their own fault. They began the second half with a lot more urgency and drive. Barry Grimes and Martin Murphy started to assert an influence and striker Carr epitomised the far more determined approach of the team .The pushing forward of Stephen Begley from left back and the introduction of Chris Mullen also added more attacking threat.

However, John Smith for Rampart who pulled the strings for most of this match in mid-field was twice tantalisingly close to extending his side’s lead, and almost certainly clinching victory.

His defence was mostly under siege for the entire second-half, but held out with Rian Hand switched to the heart of it, stiffening their resistance, and as Gladyz and Carr wasted further scoring opportunities, Smith broke completely free inside the Redeemer half only for Harrison to race out of his area and make the most valuable of blocks to relieve the danger.

Then following a lovely bout of inter-play Smith decided to try his luck form distance, and Harrison was stretched to tip his shot over from underneath the bar.

The break that Redeemer desperately sought came when from Murphy’s corner on the right, referee Turlough Maher blew for dangerous play as De Rover raised his foot with Paul Gartland going to head the ball at the near post.

Carr put the penalty away in style, setting up a tension filled final ten minutes when either side could have snatched a winning goal. Rampart dangerman Smith went closest wriggling free inside the penalty box and draggled his shot across the home goal just before the final whistle. REDEEMER: Dane Harrison, Padraig Brown, Paul Gartland, Shane English, Stephen Begley, Martin Murphy, Stephen Grimes (John Duffy 62), Ed Maguire ( Chris Mullen 62), Barry Grimes, Woichez Gladyz, Barry Carr.

RAMPARTS: David Lynch, Eamon Rogers (Chris Berrills 73), Caolan Carroll, Paul Gray, Killian De Roever, Eoin McGuinness, Aidan McGuinness, Eamon Gosling, Lee Wright (Nick McKeown 90), John Smith, Rian Hand.

REFEREE: Turlough Maher.