Greenfield on top at blustery Ravensdale
ON a blustery but sunny Sunday morning, Ravensdale played host to Greenfield to see who would come out on top and gain a valuable three points in each teams quest for silverware. A minutes silence was observed impeccably for the late Diarmuid MacArtain by both sides and our sympathies and well wishes go to the family.
From the start both teams pressed and probed for an advantage. Ravensdale through their talisman Declan Sharkey were dangerous and Mattie Myles was a strong presence in midfield. Greenfield used the conditions to their advantage and played some neat football. Good balls from the dangerous Chris Berrill released the striking duo of Pat Conway and Lee wright on several occasions but the Ravensdale center half Gary McKeown was equal to the threat. From a Ravensdale corner Greenfield broke the length of the field and their breakaway fed Pat Conway and his cross found striking partner Lee Wright who duly finished in spectacular fashion.
Greenfield were on top at this stage but were caught with a sucker punch when Declan Sharkey rolled the Greenfield center half and fed Darren Hynes who calmly finished under an onrushing Eamonn Roe. Greenfield probably didn’t deserve to be pinned back but it showed how potent Ravensdale through Sharkey can be when their first clear cut chance was converted.
With minutes left the teams were heading in level until a last minute inswinging corner found an unmarked Aidan McGuinness to poke home to give Greenfield a 2-1 half time lead. It was harsh on Ravensdale with the time of the goal but changed the managers thinking from half time onwards.
Ravensdale had to come looking for an equaliser while Greenfield could play on the break and use the pacy threat of Berrill’s, Chris Mullan and Wright. Ravensdale moved Damien Connor into midfield and he was playing some excellent ball into Myles and the newly introduced Shane Finnegan, the Greenfield midfield of Stephen Mullen and Gavin Lennon had to work hard to counter the threat.
Greenfield switched to a back three to counter the long ball threat and defended resolutely throughout and broke through the defence to break Ravensdale hearts and score a third through Lee Wright. Ravensdale searched for a way back in but all efforts came up short especially when Mattie Myles was sent off for a second bookable offence and the game finished 3-1 to the visitors.
Elsewhere Castletown drew with Haynestown/Doolargy and Bridgeside beat Ramparts 3-1.
North Louth Winter League Fixtures
The North Louth Winter League fixtures for Sunday next are as follows;
Ravensdale v Ramparts at Ravensdale; Haynestown/Doolargy v Faughart at DKIT; Glen United v Bridgeside at Glen Park. 11.30pm starts in all matches.