Gilford’s bad luck in league returns as Castlecaulfield win

Looking to capitalise on that result and fielding a mainly unchanged side they took the field confidently, but not overly so.

You could not have asked for better conditions this late in the year to play a match and both teams relished the opportunity to increase their points tally.

Castlecaulfield looked a very strong team physically and it did not take long before they took the opportunity to test the Gilford defence.

Only some assured keeping by McKinstry and a perfectly timed tackle by the veteran captain Barry prevented them from taking the lead.

It was not, however, all one way traffic. McAreavey was, again, very strong in midfield, constantly trying to find the killer pass for the Magee brothers to connect with but not afraid to have a go himself if the chance arose.

Gilford’s bad luck continued when Castlecaulfield somehow scrambled the ball over the line in the 13th minute after the ball broke loose in the Gilford box.

The goal seemed to spur Gilford on and they went on to produce some of their best football of the match in the next 20 minutes as they pushed forward.

Both Magees had chances to level, a call for a penalty was turned down as Conor was brought down in the box, McAreavey had a free kick go just over and only a fine save from the Castlecaulfield keeper stopped O’Hare’s netbound header from Gillen’s finely struck free kick.

It was not all one way and McKinstry again proved his worth when he flung himself the length of his goal to stop a well struck free kick.

The second half was played at the same tempo and style as the first half and would ultimately render the same result goal wise as the first half.