‘Veely win sets up crunch clash with Athletic
Mercer League 23/24
Castlederg United 1 Magheraveely 2
MAGHERAVEELY claimed an important three points in their fight against relegation from Division One, edging out bottom club Castlederg United thanks to two goals in the first half.
Andy Little had given Keith Douglas’ side the lead after 12 minutes and they doubled their advantage when James Harpur put through his own net, and although Dylan Russell pulled a goal back in the second half Magheraveely held on to win the six-pointer.
“In the context of staying up it was a massive win for us,” admitted Magheraveely manager Douglas. “Credit to Castlederg, they really put it up to us. It was the proverbial relegation battle.
“We probably had the better of play in the first half, but they had the better chances and our keeper pulled off some great saves. In the second half they piled the pressure on. They knew the importance of getting something out of it, and we knew the importance of getting something out of it, and we were holding on.
“It was nerve-racking towards the end. They were putting the pressure on but we got the job done. It gives us a fighting chance. We have six games left and it is in our own hands.”
Magheraveely grabbed an early advantage when Little controlled Luke Allison’s quick throw-in inside the penalty area and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Midway through the half they extended their lead in fortuitous circumstances. Goalkeeper Corey Smith launched a long kick into the Castlederg half, and under pressure centre half Harpur sliced into his own net.
Castlederg responded well to the setbacks and Magheraveely had to rely on Smith to keep their clean sheet intact, but after 73 minutes their defence was breached after a defensive mix up, with Russell taking advantage. Castlederg pressed forward in the closing minutes of the match, but they could not find the goal that would have earned them a share of the points.
The result leaves Castlederg six points adrift of the tenth spot they will need to avoid the drop, with Magheraveely closing the gap to Enniskillen Athletic in tenth to one point with the pair set to meet this Saturday.