Result: Rosario 2 Tullycarnet 0

Thankfully Rosario came through this game with a win.

They were made to work hard for it, playing against a Tullycarnet team who only had 10 players for 60 minutes due to the latest virus/illness sweeping the country.

Coaches Carty and O’Prey were commenting on how this team is like a box of chocolates, you just do not know what you are going to get week in week out.  The performances have been way below par the past couple of weeks and a win was needed today against a Tullycarnet team who beat us with the last kick of the game last week. 

Rosario also had to chop and change the team this week after a number of illnesses striking down Benny McCoy and Sam Henry, so it was a matter of playing people out of position. The prodigal son returned after a number of weeks out with injury, into the changing room announcing to one and all, “I kid you not, I have returned to change your fortunes around!!!”  Yes, the one and only Mani Douglas was back and automatically there was a buzz about the changing room … sorry that was Mani’s phone on vibration mode.

Well, team picked and out they went to do battle. The ten men of Tullycarnet were well organised and frustrated Rosario for long periods. They had a better attitude and were first to the ball.  Slowly but surely Rosario came into the game. The weekly cries of “get the ball wide” rang out from the coaches and sure enough Christian Tang started to make a telling impression, causing all sorts of problems on the right, getting in behind on numerous occasions only to see his shots blocked or crosses cut out.

It was an indifferent performance from a number of the players with the ball bouncing off them, misplaced passes and just that lack of confidence.  Nathan McIvor returning after being rested last week took the advice of the coaches and kept things simple, he had a good game throughout.

Chances came and went, Jude Courtney just not connecting correctly on a couple of occasions, he needs a goal to get the mojo back.  It was 0-0 at half time.  After a good rollicking at half time all the players went out knowing they had to change things quickly.  Sure enough, that man Christian Tang made the breakthrough, hitting a right footed shot just inside the right side of the area that took a slight deflection to put Rosario 1-0 in front.

That was the breakthrough needed you would have thought, but credit to Tullycarnet, the opposition came storming back causing numerous problems but, thankfully, the Rosario defence held firm with Daniel Montgomery and Eamonn McWilliams taking care of the centre back places and Samuel Gibson playing at right back.

 Jude Courtney hit the bar after a low corner from Christian Tang that caused all sorts of confusion,. Remember, all corners do not need to be high into the box, this one resulted in an almighty goalmouth scramble.

Tullycarnet had one great opportunity with the onrushing Jak Bailie and the defence getting into a mix up with the Tullycarnet centre forward lofting the ball towards the Rosario goal, taking an age to drop, thankfully wide.

We were now moving into the last few minutes and it was not getting any easier, then a bad mix up between the Tullycarnet keeper and defender had them both tackling each other and the ball broke to Ethan Horner who had the simplest of tap-ins.

Game done and dusted, 2-0.

There are 2 more weekends left of football before a little break, it is important that all the players get themselves fit and raring to go over the next couple of weeks.  I am very passionate about this football team. I kick every ball they do, from the sidelines.  Keep plugging away everyone, the most important thing is that you have the right attitude and you do your job and the rest will take care of itself.

Coach Conal