Ardee looking over shoulders after loss
BELLURGAN UNITED ARDEE CELTIC 2 1
ARDEE Celtic were dealt another blow in their quest for Premier Division safety on Sunday morning following a narrow defeat in Flynn Park.
Bernard Osborne’s strike actually gave the Deesiders the lead as Mikey Nulty crossed and Osborne showed quick feet to get the ball under control before slipping a neat finish past Robert Arthur.
But that strike came slightly against the run of play as Bellurgan had earlier missed two gilt-edged chances. Danny O’Connor certainly should have scored when presented with a one-on-one chance, but Stuart Reynolds stood tall to deny him.
The Bellurgan man was denied again by Reynolds moments later in similar fashion as the stopper made himself big to keep O’Connor out.
This relegation six-pointer was always going to be a nervy affair for both teams, but the Peninsula side responded well to Osborne’s goal and levelled just past the half-hour mark.
The Deesiders were punished for not clearing from the back as Oisin McGee was slow to release the ball and got caught out, leaving O’Connor free to hit home from six yards.
Finnegan’s goal in the 53rd minute ultimately settled this contest in Bellurgan’s favour as they took a huge step towards Premier Division safety. O’Connor’s initial effort was blocked by McGee, but the unmarked Stephen Finnegan had time to find the net from the rebound.
Bellurgan then hit the post twice, through Gavin Gregory and Stephen Finnegan. Granted, Ardee also had opportunities to depart with the points. However, Conor McManus had a free kick punched away by Arthur and another similar set piece, taken by Ross Gaynor, looked to be looping into the net, but the back-tracking Arthur reached his line in the nick of time. ARDEE CELTIC: Stuart Reynolds; Robbie Reynolds, Niall Sharkey, Óisín McGee, Mikey Nulty, Bryan O’Connor, Mikey Nulty, Conor McManus, Gareth Kane, Ross Gaynor, Bernard Osborne, Darryn Gaynor. Sub: Eddie Burke.