The Limavady Rugby Club footballers got off to a perfect start to the new season with a resounding 8-0 victory over Lincoln Courts Reserves.
In fact the Roesiders opened the scoring in the 1st minute when some dreadful defending by the away side left Trevor Banks with a tap in to an empty net from 6 yards after Blane McIlmoyle had made a nuisance of himself and won a high ball the goalkeeper should really have dealt with.
The remainder of the first half saw Limavady dominate possession with either the final ball or the attempt on goal leaving a lot to be desired.
The home side finally got their 2nd goal of the afternoon right on the stroke of half time with an inch perfect through ball by club captain Peter Irwin latched onto by Dylan Banks with the young striker racing through and dispatching past the oncoming Lincoln goalkeeper.
Despite the home side’s dominance and 2 goal half time lead, the first half was marred by what looks like a serious injury to right back Jonny Cottle. The full back’s leg planted in the turf following a well contested shoulder to shoulder and he was replaced mid way through the half by debutant Dylan O’Brien who handled the game well.
The Rugby Club men continued their dominance in the second half with a quick burst of 5 goals in 15 minutes. New signing Gerdy O’Kane got off the mark on 55 minutes when Trevor Banks laid the ball off for him to fire into the corner. Another assist for Trevor followed 6 minutes later when he put in his brother Dylan to get his second goal of the afternoon.
Rugby Club manager Colly Hartin made his second change of the afternoon when Steven Young was brought in for Fergal Hartin who had been suffering from a tight hamstring. The impressive Shane Allen moved back into centre half alongside Blane McIlmoyle with Young moving into the midfield.
A few minutes later Dylan Banks completed his hat trick after some great work in the midfield by the returning Ricky McMullan. This was to be Banks’ last action of the game with another debutant Odhran Campbell coming into the action.
Another goal quickly followed on 68 minutes when a great run into the box from substitute Steven Young saw him dispatch into the net from 15 yards after the Lincoln keeper had saved from Gerdy O’Kane.
Two minutes later some great work down the right by substitute Campbell saw him cross for Trevor Banks to get his second of the afternoon.
Limavady’s final goal came in the 89th minute after another great cross from the right by Campbell was headed into the net by Gerdy O’Kane from 8 yards for his second of the afternoon.
Apart from the scoreline the most pleasing fact for the Limavady management is the clean sheet kept by Liam Wilson, their first in 20 matches.
Final Score: Limavady Rugby FC 8 – 0 Lincoln Courts Reserves
Starting XI:
GK – Liam Wilson
RB – Jonny Cottle
CB – Fergal Hartin
CB – Blane McIlmoyle
LB – Bobby Gordon
CM – Shane Allen
CM – Peter Irwin
CM – Ricky McMullan
RF – Dylan Banks
CF – Gerdy O’Kane
LF – Trevor Banks
Substitutes:
Simon Irwin
Dylan O’Brien (replaced J. Cottle – 25 mins)
Steven Young (replaced F. Hartin – 62 mins)
James Smyth
Odhran Campbell (replaced D. Banks – 66 mins)
Man of the Match: Shane Allen
Many thanks to match sponsor Limavady Travel. www.limavadytravel.co.uk
