Corner seek to avenge league defeat at Celtic
Thursday, 20 November 2008
CHIMNEY Corner Football Club will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend's ominous 4-2 defeat at Lurgan Celtic when they replay the Armagh side in the Intermediate Cup in two weeks' time.
After a poor start to the season and a shock exit from the Irish Cup at the hands of lower division Rosario, the Intermediate Cup is realistically Chimney Corner's only chance of silverware this campaign.
But with Lurgan Celtic, managed by former Manchester United and Portadown player Pat McGribbon, comfortably sitting third in the IFA Interim League, the tie looks certain to be an uphill struggle for the local football club who have taken just one point from seven games - a draw to Wakehurst.
Despite taking no points from the game at Craigavon on Saturday, bottom of the league Chimney Corner put on one of their best performances of the season against much stronger opposition.
Chimney Corner found themselves in unfamiliar water taking an early lead after 13 minutes through a well-executed Paul McIntyre header. The Chimney Corner player attacked a delicate cross from a John Bank's free kick giving the away team a deserved early advantage.
And it seemed like Corner's run of bad luck was behind them when they were awarded a penalty on the 20th minute for a hand ball in the area.
However, the referee made Chimney Corner set-piece specialist, John Banks wait almost five minutes before taking the spot kick as he was unhappy with the positioning of the ball.
The delay obviously affected the normally calm Banks as his penalty was saved by the Celtic keeper, which spurred the home team into action.
Had the spot kick been converted, a potentially deflated Lurgan side may not have fought back from what would have been a two goal deficit.
Club Secretary John Robinson criticised the referee for his part in what he described as a 'funny' game.
“It was a game of 'ifs' and 'buts'. 'If' is one of the smallest words in the dictionary, with one of the biggest meanings," he said. "The referee left a lot to be desired from both sides."
Lurgan Celtic levelled the scoring at one apiece just three minutes after the penalty incident through a fine solo effort carving open the away defence.
The League challengers then went ahead on the 39th minute through a 25 yard free kick sounding out a return to form for Chimney Corner and their bemused fans.
Showing real grit and determination though, arguably for the first time this campaign, the Allen Park outfit fought back before half time and made the score 2 - 2 after a precision pass from Gareth Elder was met by Jonathan McClurg.
Still very much in the game at the half time whistle and having the slight breeze in their favour at the restart, Chimney Corner were confident they could snatch something from the game.
For the opening 15 minutes the local team fought for every ball and continued to give a good account of themselves but as time gradually elapsed, the home team began to show why they were still challenging for the title.
On the 64th minute the second half stalemate was broken through another penalty decision - this time going against the travelling team.
Unlike Chimney Corner's attempt in the first half, which could have changed the whole complexion of the game, Lurgan Celtic duly slotted the spot kick home restoring their lead.
Ten minutes form end and the game was decided by an 18 yard strike making the final score 4 - 2.
John Robinson said: "If we had scored the penalty things could have been totally different."
The Allen Park management vented their frustration with the referee after the match, which saw six yellow cards being awarded.
“The referee didn't help anyone considering there wasn't a dirty tackle throughout the whole game. Even Lurgan Celtic were pretty disappointed by his performance."
The Club Secretary did commend the efforts of the players though as they showed real fighting spirit in what was a difficult match both on paper and on the pitch and looked forward to the rematch on Saturday, November 29 in the Intermediate Cup.
Mr Robinson said: "It was a fair enough performance from the boys despite the loss and we will take some confidence from the match when we meet them again in the Cup."
