Rushen end Geordies long unbeaten run
TOP SAVE: St Georges winger Gary Quirk (centre) is denied first by Rushen goalkeeper Thomas Strivens and then by defender Ed Pepper (left) during Saturdays Canada Life Premier League clash at Croit Lowey which the southerners won 1-0
ST GEORGE’S long unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt end with a 1-0 defeat to Rushen in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The 2011-12 Grand Slam winners were just three games away from matching Peel’s long-standing 55-match unbeaten run from the 1970s but were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal by a hard-working Rushen side who, somewhat ironically, inflicted Geordies’ last defeat on them back in April 2010.
Croit Lowey was again the venue for the Spaniards’ latest mini triumph over their title rivals and came about after a resilient and dogged performance from the whole team.
Geordies went into the match missing the likes of captain Sean Quaye and Chris Bass Jr following an outbreak of mumps in the past couple of weeks and the enforced reshuffle meant last season’s golden boot winner Ciaran McNulty was deployed in a central midfield role.
The hosts very nearly took the lead with just seven minutes played when a deep free-kick from Ed Pepper caused chaos in the visitors’ box and Michael Baker was the first to react but his effort rebounded back off the crossbar to safety before the defender curled a shot wide seconds later.
The Saints first meaningful effort on goal didn’t arrive until the 12th minute when Calum Morrissey collected a throw-in from Julian Ringham and turned his marker but his fierce shot drifted wide.
Geordies gradually began to impose themselves onto proceedings and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Johnny Myers tried his luck with a superb free-kick from range but the woodwork came to the hosts’ rescue.
Rushen full-back Alex Maitland had to be alert to provent McNulty from having a free header at goal following Ringham’s cross while at the other end of the pitch Ste Riding’s corner was met by the head of Furo Davies whose looping header was pushed onto the bar by former Rushen goalkeeper Grant Dawson. A goalmouth scramble ensued until Myers was able to hack the ball to safety.
Dawson’s opposite number Thomas Strivens was sooned called into action as well when Morrissey sent strike partner Connor Dempsey racing through on goal and, after turning his marker the wrong way, fired a venomous shot goalwards which Strivens was forced to tip away at his near post, ensuring the sides went in level at the break.
With just five minutes of the second half played the visitors should have taken the lead when they launched a swift counter-attack and outnumbered the opposition. Sam Caine combined with Ringham who into released Gary Quirk one-on-one with Strivens but the keeper stood tall and denied him. The rebound fell kindly to the winger but his follow-up goal-bound effort was headed clear by Pepper.
And Geordies were made to pay for that miss immediately. The Spaniards worked the ball out wide to Riding on the right wing who cut inside an delivered a superb cross towards the back post where Davies rose highest and powered a header downwards past Dawson and into the back of the net for 1-0.
St George’s tried to hit back straightaway but Myers headed over following a deep free-kick from McNulty and they could have found themselves further behind soon after.
The home crowd were left incensed when they felt their side should have been awarded a penalty. Mike Williams and Riding played a neat one-two in midfield which sent Williams racing clean through on goal and, as he rounded Dawson, he went to ground and appealed for a spot-kick. However, referee Dave Murphy was having none of it and waved play on.
As Geordies began to play with more urgency in a bid to draw level, the game opened up and chances began to flow. Morrissey saw a shot saved at one end before Riding drilled an effort narrowly wide at the other. McNulty then saw an inswinging corner tipped over by Strivens while Frank Jones had a half-volley superbly blocked by Adam Cregeen before seeing a header saved.
With the visitors pushing forward in numbers, Davies proved to be a good outlet for Rushen on the counter and went close with one effort before setting up Riding whose shot was saved.
Geordies desperately tried to salvage the game in the final minutes and should have drawn level in the 88th minute when McNulty did well to flick the ball onto Jones in the area but, one-on-one with the keeper, he rushed his shot and dragged it wide when Caine was in a better position to score.
And deep into injury time they managed to carve out one last chance when the ball dropped to Morrissey six yards out but, instead of shooting, he opted to pass to substitute Lee Bass whose two efforts were somehow clawed away to safety, meaning Geordies unbeaten run was finally ended.
TEAM CHECK
Rushen: Thomas Strivens, Alex Maitland, Ed Pepper, Adam Cregeen, Michael Baker, Jordan Watterson, Ste Riding, Andrew Moody (Neil Curphey 57m), Furo Davies, Aaron Hawley (c), Mike Williams. Sub not used: G. Lloyd
St George’s: Grant Dawson, Julian Ringham, Johnny Myers, Mark Teare, Jimmy Lees, Gary Quirk (Sam Taylor 81m), Ciaran McNulty, Frank Jones, Sam Caine, Calum Morrissey, Connor Dempsey (Lee Bass 67m). Sub not used: Liam Cowin
Referee: Dave Murphy
Assistants: Mark Thomas and Huw Matthews
Booked: Mark Teare (St George’s) and Furo Davies (Rushen)
Man of the Match: Michael Baker (Rushen) - superb performance at the heart of defence alongside Adam Cregeen, repelling everything that Geordies could throw at them
Match rating: HHHII
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
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Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
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