St George's 1-2 Peel
Peel's Danny Lace and St George's Danny McMahon go head-to-head in Saturday's top-flight encounter at Glencrutchery Road
PEEL remain top of the Sure Mobile Premier League standings after they came from behind to beat reigning champions St George's 2-1 at Glencrutchery Road on Saturday.
In a game that fell well short of its top billing, Calum Morrissey gave the hosts a 60th minute lead before former Geordie Johnny Myers levelled from the spot after Freddy Ward was adjudged to have handled in the area.
Rob Cottier then made himself a hero in the west when he bundled in Marc Kelly's free kick with just three minutes left on the clock to seal the points for the league leaders.
Rick Holden's Douglas Road outfit made the better start to proceedings with both Kerron Christian and Chris Cain going close in the first five minutes.
However, the opportunities for Messrs Christian and Cain proved two rare highlights in what was an otherwise poor opening to the match.
Both sides looked a tad overawed by the occasion and both contributed to a very cagey start with some unusually careless play when in possession.
Indeed it wasn't until the 32nd minute that the scorers threatened to be awoken from their slumber when Chris Bass Junior played in Island team-mate Morrissey who rifled a shot wide of Kelvin Dawson's upright.
At the other end of the pitch, Peel had their own chance to steal the lead just shy of the interval when Christian's determined run created a chance for Myers. Full-back Julian Ringham read the danger and produced a fine challenge to deny his former club-mate.
Young Peel winger Lee Gale then brought a poor first period to a close when his cross from the right deceived everyone and clattered the top of the bar.
Unfortunately for the assembled masses the game didn't improve at the start at the second period and goalscoring chances were still very much at a premium.
Livewire Belgian forward Terry Rigaux shot narrowly over before Morrissey's speculative half-volley from 30 yards forced Dawson into his first real save of the match.
Geordies then broke the tedium with the encounter's first goal. Bass Junior cross from the left was turned goalward by Sean Quaye.
Morrissey picked up the pieces in a crowded Peel box, sweeping home a tidy finish from eight yards out.
The goal sparked some much-needed life into the game and Peel nearly mustered an immediate riposte when substitute Danny Bell nodded wide a Kelly corner.
Chris Bass Senior's charges then nearly doubled their advantage when Morrissey's flick-on split the Peel defence. Summer signing Sam Caine raced into the space and looked to have netted his side's second goal of the afternoon only to be denied by the foot of the post.
The chances continued to come as the game began to open up with Peel looking for a way back into the fixture.
Megson fired a stinging drive at Christian Cellamare before Morrissey shot off target after executing a clever turn and shot in the Peel box.
With just 13 minutes left on the clock the visitors drew level when Kerron Christian's stinging shot was adjudged to have been handled in the box by Geordies' left back Ward.
Myers stepped up to roll in the resulting spot-kick and restore parity to the fixture.
Peel continued to finish the fixture the stronger and Cottier headed Cain's cross from the right wide before making amends by finding the back of the net just six minutes later.
'Geordies' desperately went in search of a late equaliser. Bass Junior's deep free kick was headed over by Feeney before James McStay was presented with a golden opportunity in stoppage time after he was left unmarked in the box by the Peel defence.
Unfortunately for the increasingly vocal home support the tenacious midfielder snatched at his effort and fired over the bar to let the westerners off the hook.
Team Check
St George's Christian Cellamare, Julian Ringham, Freddy Ward, Sean Quaye, Robin Bates, Danny McMahon, Chris Feeney, James McStay, Sam Caine (Martin Torr 83m), Calum Morrissey (Danny Oram 83m (Andy Bass 90m)), Chris Bass Junior.
Peel Kelvin Dawson, Kevin Megson, Danny Lace, Chris Cain, Nigel Shimmin, Rob Cottier, Lee Gale (Daniel Bell 60m), Johnny Myers, Terry Rigaux (Juan Killip 73m), Kerron Christian, Marc Kelly. Sub not used Andrew Crennell
Referee Chris Taggart Assistants R. Jones, S. Hull.
Booked Ringham (St George's)
Man of the Match Cain (Peel)
Match rating 1* |
