Lucky Lisahally Edge Victory

Strand United 1-2 Lisahally (22.08.10)

Lisahally continued their campaign for promotion on Sunday morning with a hard-fought victory over Strand United at Lisnagelvin. Splendid goals from striker Barry Murray and diminutive midfield dynamo, Peter Doherty overturned the early 1-0 deficit to complete the comeback and seal victory for the Strathfoyle men.

Fresh off their momentous 6-0 opening day victory over Beechtree, Lisahally were keen to maintain their push for promotion with a win over Strand. There were several changes made to the team which triumphed so easily over Beechtree, with versatile defender, Kieran McGlinchey moved to centre-back and speed-demon Paul Lowry starting on the right-wing. Decky Brown partnered Noel O'Donnell in midfield, while Emmett Kirk joined Barry Murray in attack. However, the real talking-point was undoubtedly the controversial decision to start with talisman and self-styled superstar, Mark Duffy, on the bench.

Strand started the game the livelier of the two sides, playing some attractive football and exploiting the gaps in Lisahally's untried midfield. Lisahally's midfield were evidently frustrated by Strand, as Noel O'Donnell uncharacteristically lost possession and Decky Brown committed a number of reckless fouls in dangerous positions. Indeed, this would prove to be their undoing, as a poorly timed tackle from Decky Brown gifted the opposition a freekick outside the box. A quick pass into the box landed perfectly at a Strand player's feet, who wasted no time in smashing the ball past the Lisahally goalkeeper.

Lisahally's sense of urgency was quickly heightened and Paul Lowry moved into the more familiar forward position, with Kirk assuming the right wing role. Strand instantly felt the impact of Lowry's lightning pace, as he raced clear of the last man, only to prematurely blast his shot straight at the Strand goalkeeper. As the Strand management breathed a sigh of relief, Lisahally fans and coaches alike were furious and berated their team. However, the equaliser came minutes before half-time, when Barry Murray charged after a loose ball and catching the Strand goalkeeper off his line, found the net with a fantastic placed shot.

In what seemed to be a stark indication of intent, Lisahally made two changes at half-time, with Mark Duffy introduced at right-back and Lisahally's exotic new signing, Jé Roberto, replacing Decky Brown. Lisahally appeared to be much more assured in possession and disciplined in defence in the second half, but they struggled to make any clear-cut chances, such was the determination of Strand's defence. Aidy O'Kane created a number of chances when he surged down the left wing, but the majority of Barry Murrary's shots were blocked by the heroic defending of Strand. In a scramble in the box following a Peter Doherty cross, Paul Lowry found himself in acres of space, but the striker blazed the ball over the bar. Lowry was then substituted for Cathal O'Kane, who slotted in at left-wing, while Peter Doherty assumed the forward position.

Cathal O'Kane proved to be an inspired substitution yet again, as he linked up with Aidy O'Kane and threaded a marvelous through-ball to Peter Doherty, who skilfully rounded the goalkeeper before drilling the ball into the net to make it 2-1 to Lisahally. However, following the goal, the Strathfoyle men adopted a defensive mentality and played quite deep, encouraging the Strand attack to commit men forward, which caused considerable distress for the Lisahally defence, who, by sheer luck avoided conceding. Defensive lynchpin, Kieran McGlinchey, was taken off towards the end of the game as a precaution and Noel O'Donnell filled in admirably at centre-back for the final five minutes of the game as Lisahally fought to hold on to their lead.