Kilroot Rec FC

Tuesday 17th April 2007, Albion Star 3 v 3 Kilroot Rec Kilroot scorers John Mathers Nicky Sharples Paul Mathers League leaders Albion Star got a real fright from Kilroot at the Y. M.C. A. grounds a match that went to the wire and except for some eccentric referring by the man in the middle who by is eagerness to punish one team and not the other baffled the visiting contingent from Newington Rangers and 18th Newtownabbey. First minute Kilroot’s powerhouse Darren McKinty was cautioned after being fouled. Nicky Sharples through ball to David Armstrong from 7 yards over bar (10) Albion took the lead on 13 minutes a deep cross to back post and a simple tap in. 1-0. Kilroot brothers acted to score the equaliser from Paul Mathers throw in John Mathers went on a jinking run which took past the Star keeper. 1-1. Albion were denied a sure fire goal when Russell Wallace made a brave save at the feet of the Albion player. (22) Kilroot’s Simon Hamilton was fouled for the umpteen time 25 yards out, up came Sharples to drive an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner. (25) 1-2. Sharples had another chance on the edge of the ball but drove his shot wide Second half David Kidd wasted a great chance to increase Kilroot’s lead. (49) Russell Wallace made what can only be described as a wonder save, a header from 2 yards with the Albion player wheeling around to celebrate his goal others watched as the ball was miraculously clawed from under the bar. (50) Kilroot made a substitution on 55 minutes Mark Latimer replacing David Armstrong. Albion had a free kick which the Kilroot keeper couldn’t hold and it was driven into the goals from a very tight angle with defenders on the line (55) 2-2. Corner ball Kilroot David Kidd delivered to back post and Paul Mathers scored a rare goal with a firm header. (70) 2-3. Albion were level again on 75 minutes from a cheaply concede goal. 3-3 The Albion keeper denied Mark Latimer the winner making a super save tipping the ball over the bar (89) that ended the excitement of this entertaining competitive match with a sharing of the spoils. Kilroot team Russell Wallace, Paul Mathers, Stuart Hamilton, Phillip Burnside, Barry Meek, Simon Hamilton, David Armstrong (Mark Latimer 55) Darren McKinty, David Kidd, Nicky Sharples, John Mathers, Other subs Colin Adair and Stephen McClean not used.

Saturday 14th April 2007, Kilroot Rec 2 v1 Kircubbin @ Beltoy Kilroot scorer Nicky Sharples (2) It was fortunate that it was the warmest day of the year so far as the standard of football being served up was chilling to say the least. Ball always in the air few passes of note and yes a day when the result was all important. Phillip Glover broke up a Kircubbin attack almost on the bye line (10). Nicky Sharples brought a great save from the visiting keeper (14) Nicky Sharples finished off a three man move involving mark Latimer and John Mathers by heading the ball wide of keeper. (15) That was the highlight of a drab first half Second half Russell Wallace the custodian of the goals in this match had to be quick of his line to clear. (46) Kilroot from a David Kidd corner ball to the back post found the unmarked Nicky Sharples to double the score with a powerful header. John Mathers from a Darren McKinty through ball should have punished Kircubbin but shot wide from 5 yards (48) 51 minutes another golden chance went begging David Kidd cut the ball back to the in rushing David Armstrong and from 3 yards the Kircubbin keeper saved pushing the ball for a corner. (51) Mark Latimer was replaced by Stephen McClean on (51) Kilroot missed another chance set up by Nicky Sharples. (59) Turlough Bell gave Kircubbin a life line with a sensational strike from all of 25 yards. (64) James Clarke missed a golden chance of levelling the score after doing all the hard work shot over the Kilroot bar from 6 yards (65) Paul Mathers made a last ditch tackle to prevent a goal scoring opportunity for Kircubbin (68) Stephen McClean anticipated a back pass and intercepted it but shot wide from 8 yards when he had lots of time (69) Kircubbin missed another chance from a throw in, shot blasted over the Kilroot bar (78) Kircubbin wasted another chance from a free kick 22 yards out ball over the bar (80) Kilroot’s turn to miss David Armstrong set up Nicky Sharples shot over the bar (81) Kilroot played another get out of jail card as Turlough Bell Kircubbin most dangerous forward nearly broke the Kilroot crossbar (82) Darren McKinty on a maundering run had two players one on each side of him clear but played the ball to far in front, chance lost (84) Nicky Sharples hit a screamer at the Kircubbin keeper who saved it but spilled it, it came to John Mathers who from 6 yards shot wide (85) Kircubbin were reduced to ten men when Turlough Bell was dismissed for a second caution (86) The miss of the match was saved until the 88th minute leading marksman Nicky Sharples from 12 yards as a result of the keeper laying hands on him missed or the keeper saved either way it was poor poor finishing. Kilroot team Russell Wallace, Philip Glover, Stuart Hamilton, Paul Mathers, Barry Meek, Mark Latimer (Stephen McClean 51) David Armstrong, Darren McKinty, David Kidd, Nicky Sharples, John Mathers. Other sub James Pherson not used.

Saturday 14th April 2007, Bangor Amateurs II 4 v 1 Kilroot Rec II @ Clandeboye Bangor Kilroot scorer Chris Armstrong The scourge of the N, A, F, L 3RD Division (the home referee) was evident today at Clandeboye when visiting team Kilroot II were fortunate leaving the premises in one piece all bones intact. Kilroot had the audacity to take the lead, all started from a long clearance from Darren White the Kilroot keeper, and Chris Armstrong latched onto it and directed the ball past the keeper (15) Amateurs equalised from what looked like an off side position. (36) Amateurs from a corner ball centre forward missed it and fell another forward blasted the ball over the bar and the referee not one to miss a chance awarded a penalty which was converted. (37) Second half Kilroot were no match for the rampant Amateurs as they had a licence to do as they pleased. Kilroot’s first sub Glenn McCauley replaced Chris Barry ((60) Kilroot’s second sub Andy Murry replaced Andy Mearns (65) Amateurs went on to score two more goals to complete the route. Kilroot team, Darren white, David Gillespie, John Smiley, Edd Armstrong, Neill Hall, Chris Barry (Glen McCauley 60) Chris Armstrong, Trevor Cole, Thomas Hammond, Gary McCahon, Andy Mearns (Andy Murry 65)

Saturday 7th April 2007. Temple Rangers 1 v 2 Kilroot Rec @ Killyleagh Leisure Centre Kilroot scorers Nicky Sharples (p) Darren McKinty On this farcical boy pitch @ Killyleagh Leisure Centre far too small for adult football Kilroot squeezed all three points in this tense fixture. It was Temple who created the first chance in the early part of the game breaching Kilroot’s offside trap but Phillip Brownlee standing in for injured Gary McClune made a brave double save at the feet of the Temple forward. Both teams had chances with McKinty and Kidd squandering half chances for Kilroot. 30 minutes from a throw in Kilroot’s Phillip Burnside was pushed over in the box the referee pointed to the spot, Nicky Sharples sent the keeper the wrong way. The miss of the first half was credited to Kilroot’s Mark Latimer at the back post from a Kidd cross a simple tap in from 6 yards was somehow screwed wide of goals. The start of the second half Kilroot’s David Armstrong replaced Mark Latimer. 50 minutes Temple were level and again it was Kilroot’s doggy offside trap that failed, Kilroot keeper no chance. Temple had a goal disallowed a result of doggy offside trap which didn’t go down well with the home support. The last 10 minutes it was all Kilroot and another Kidd cross was meet at the back post by Stuart Hamilton’s powerful header, a magnificent save by Temple keeper. 87 minutes from a corner ball which was cleared Paul Mathers sent the ball into the danger area where Darren McKinty got a toe to the ball in front of a Temple defender to direct the ball past the bewildered keeper. Kilroot team, Phillip Brownlee, Glenn Crawford, Phillip Burnside, Paul Mathers, Stuart Hamilton, Mark Latimer (David Armstrong 45) Simon Hamilton, Darren McKinty, David Kidd, John Mathers, Nicky Sharples. Other subs Barry Meek and Philip Glover not used.

Saturday 7th April 2007. Kilroot Rec II 4 v 1 Holywood rec II @ Beltoy Kilroot scorers James Pherson Stephen McClean Darren white OG Bottom team Holywood Rec II gave the complacent Kilroot something to think about by taking the lead on 4 minutes a cracking goal at the back post by Mark Spence. Kilroot struggled to get into the game and were unkindly helped by an unfortunate own goal by Holywood Joe McFadden. The second half didn’t come to life until the subs were made the first former managers son James Pherson returning from injury made an instant impact within one minute of replacing Neill Hall. 68 minutes the second sub Darren White replaced the miss firing Andy Mearns. 77 minutes another fortuitous goal for Kilroot a Stephen McClean shot was heading nowhere when redirected by a Holywood defender past his own keeper. 82 minutes Kilroot’s final sub Chris Barry replacing Gary McCahon who has had better games for Kilroot. 84 minutes 2nd sub the wondering Darren White scored Kilroot’s fourth and final goal to ease all the tension from the faithful on the line. Kilroot’s keeper for the day was manager Russell Wallace who had to step in when second team keeper Phillip Brownlee was called to the firsts as replacement for Gary McClune. Russell Wallace, Jamie Campbell, Edd Armstrong, John Smiley, David Gillespie. Trevor Cole, Chris Armstrong, Neill Hall (James Pherson 60) Gary McCahon (Chris Barry 82) Andy Mearns (Darren White 68) Stephen McClean.