Limavady Rugby FC headed to the new 3g pitch in Dungiven for the 1st time for their second successive away came in the league to face the league favourites Burnfoot.
The game had the potential to be a cracker with both teams encouraging a fast attacking style of play. It lived up to the billing with 8 goals shared between the two sides and in truth there could have been alot more than that.
The first half ended with Limavady 2-0 up thanks to goals from James Smyth and Trevor Banks. The first goal came from smart linkup play between Banks and Jonny Cottle on the left wing with Cottle putting the ball across the six yard line for Smyth to tap in at the back post. The second came from a mistake from a Burnfoot defender when he miscontrolled the ball allowing Banks to capitalise with a devastating finish from outside the area high into the keeper’s net.
Burnfoot had a handful of chances in the first half particularly from corners. They seemed to be winning every header but failed to capitalise.
Burnfoot hit the ground running and were pressing to pull a goal back early in the second half when Limavady hit Burnfoot on the counter with Trevor Banks missing a 1 on 1 with the keeper to make it 3-0. This was to prove costly as Burnfoot went up the field and pulled the game back to 2-1 followed quickly by the equaliser. Credit to Burnfoot they had their backs up and played some lovely football adding a further two goals to take a 4-2 lead.
Limavady rallied in the final quarter of the game with Shane Allen adding a great finish from a very tight angle to make it 4-3. And Fergal Hartin came forward from centre half to score a towering header at the back post from an excellent corner delivery by Steven Young.
Limavady had a great shout for a penalty turned down in the last few seconds of the game that on another day could have been given. All in all though, both sides agreed a draw was a fair result.
Limavady Rugby FC Starting XI:
GK: Liam Wilson
RB: Joshua Craig
LB: Tyler Sproule
CB: Fergal Hartin
CB: Blane McIlmoyle
CM: Shane Allen
CM: Steven Young
CM: Bobby Gordon
RF: James Smyth
LF: Jonny Cottle
CF: Trevor Banks
Goalscorers: James Smyth, Trevor Banks, Shane Allen, Fergal Hartin
Assists: Jonny Cottle, Steven Young
LRFC Man of the Match: Trevor Banks
