Portaferry Rovers (McAvera 2) 2-0 Rosemount Rec

An accomplished performance brought a deserved 3 points in this local derby against Rosemount Rec on Saturday. Right from the get-go it was clear that the home side were determined to close the gap on the league leaders.

Rovers started brightly and put the visitors under pressure with quick interplay and probing attacks down the flanks. The good start was rewarded when following a back-heel by Aidan McCluskey, Andy McAvera curled in a left foot shot from outside the box that flew into the top right corner of the net. Rovers didn’t let up and could have doubled the advantage on numerous occassions in the half. David Fitzsimmons went close when he was put through; Nigel Kelly raced clear from the defence but saw his shot strike the crossbar and the same player saw his next effort hit the post. Brian Fitzsimmons was unlucky with a header that went past the far post. Would Rovers pay for not converting their chances? Halftime came with Rovers leading 1-0.

The second half commenced and Rovers continued to seek to extend their lead. The visitors were being restricted to set-piece situations which the defence and keeper Andy Sands managed to deal with. Rovers eventually made a further breakthrough when following a great pass by Kelly, McAvera struck a firm drive past the keeper. Rosemount began to press and sought to get back into the game but never really created any clear cut chances. Although following a goalmouth scramble Sands did well to hold on before the ball crossed the line. Sub, Rossa Murray headed over for Rovers towards the end but the final whistle came with 2-0 the result.

Portaferry Rovers: A Sands, B Curran, A Mason, Ge Curran, Ga Curran, P Convery, B Fitzsimmons, D Fitzsimmons. N Kelly, A McCluskey, A McAvera. Subs: R Murray, C Trainor

Aquinas 1-2 Portaferry Rovers (McAvera, Convery)

It took the full 90 minutes for Rovers to secure their passage into the second round of the Junior Cup on Saturday. The opposition from the Belfast & District League battled hard to make this an uncomfortable afternoon for the away side.

The first half was largely uneventful and Rovers were restricted to few clear cut opportunities during this period. The defence restricted the home side to even fewer. Gerry Curran was unlucky with a thunderous shot that cannoned off the crossbar to safety and Michael Doran went close with a header from a corner that flashed past the post. But this was the closest Rovers came to taking the lead.

The second half began with Rovers showing more urgency but this wasn’t being converted into chances. All the action came in the last ten minutes of the tie. Substitute Nigel Kelly began to get some joy upfront and it was the same player who created Rovers’ first goal. Bobby Curran played the ball down the right wing and Kelly beat his marker and advanced to the bye-line. His pinpoint cross was met by Andy McAvera who gave the keeper no chance with a first time shot from 12 yards. The game looked over but then a baffling penalty award brought the teams level. Aquinas equalised from the spot and extra-time loomed. However, in stoppage time Paul Convery forced home a corner from close range and Rovers secured a deserved victory.

Portaferry Rovers: A Sands, B Curran, A Mason, Ge Curran, Ga Curran, P Convery, B Fitzsimmons, D McCarthy, M Doran, A McAvera. Subs: G Mason, N Kelly

Suffolk Swifts 3-3 Portaferry Rovers (D Fitzsimmons, A Mason, McCluskey)

Rovers travelled to West Belfast on Saturday and came back with a point although it really should have been three. However at one stage it looked like none.

On a very blustery day Rovers got off to the best possible start when, following good pressure from Nigel Kelly and Aidan McCluskey, the ball broke to David Fitzsimmons who curled a fine shot inside the far post. Rovers bright start soon fizzled out and Swifts equalised shortly after when a forward slipped through rather easily and hit a fine shot that debutant goalkeeper Darren O’Hanlon couldn’t stop. The game then became rather niggly with both sides conceding needless free-kicks. Halftime came with the scores level at 1-1.

Again Rovers started the half brightly and started to enjoy their best spell of the match. This good spell was rewarded when following good work down the right by Brian Fitzsimmons, Andy Mason finished from close range. It looked like Rovers could go on and seal the points when Mason’s goalbound shot was prodded home by Fitzsimmons but the referee harshly ruled the scorer offside. Almost immediately Suffolk equalised when they scored a carbon copy of the first goal. It got worse within five minutes when they took the lead for the first time in the match; the forward hooking home when left unmarked.

Entering the last ten minutes; Rovers pushed for the equaliser  and had a good shout for a penalty when substitute Michael Doran was bundled over in the box but the referee waived the claims away. However Swifts good fortune ran out just moments later when Doran was again fouled in the area. This time the spotkick was awarded and McCluskey lashed the ball home to ensure the away side did not come away empty-handed.

Portaferry Rovers: O’Hanlon, B Curran, C Trainor, Ge Curran, Ga Curran, Convery, B Fitzsimmons, D Fitzsimmons, Kelly, McCluskey, Mason. Subs: McCarthy, Dorrian, Doran

Portaferry Rovers (McCluskey, Ga. Curran, A Mason) 3-0 Rooftop

Rovers began the new season well after securing all 3 points in their first match in 2B. Having achieved promotion last term it was good to get off to a winning start to the new campaign.

However, it was deep into the second half before Rovers put the result beyond doubt. In a performance that started slowly but improved as the game progressed it became clear that Rovers will have to approach each game the right away to achieve their goal. Rovers started this match slowly and could have gone behind early after the visitors fashioned a couple of good chances; one just clearing the bar and the next bringing a smart save from keeper Andy Sands. The team was struggling to get any rhythm together in these early stages but then somewhat against the run of play took the lead. Paul Convery headed a huge clearance that evaded the Rooftop defence and Aidan McCluskey raced clear and hit a fine shot that flew inside the far post.

Rooftop continued to play the more fluent football and Rovers started to give away a number of free-kicks. One such free kick brought another fine save from Sands. Half-time came with the score 1-0.

The second half started and saw Rovers still struggling to get any momentum going but it was not long before they doubled their advantage. Debutant Conor Savage sent over a corner and it was headed home by Garrett Curran. This second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the opposition and Rovers never really looked back. The best goal of the game came with 15 minutes to go when after fine work by McCluskey, substitute Andy Mason controlled the ball on his chest and rifled the ball home. Rovers nearly scored a fourth when substitute Rossa Murray headed over with his first touch.

The game was notable for the promising debuts of four young players; Colin Trainor put in a solid performance at left back; Conor Savage was impressive in centre midfield; Donal McCarthy was lively in left midfield and Rossa Murray looked bright in his 15 minutes as sub. 

A good result but the team will need to raise the level of performance next week away to Suffolk Swifts

Portaferry Rovers: A Sands, B Curran, C Trainor, C Savage, Ga Curran, P Convery, B Fitzsimmons, D Fitzsimmons, N Kelly, A McCluskey, D McCarthy. Subs: G Mason, R Murray, A Mason

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