Strabane............................... 2

Roe Valley Utd.......................0

STRABANE Football Club held their lofty league position when they beat Limavady club Roe Valley at Melvin Park on Saturday last. When these two teams meet there is normally a very competitive match and Saturday's encounter lived up to that billing, with the result in the balance right up to the final whistle.

The weather on Saturday was ideal for football, dry with sunshine. Unfortunately the pitch was far from ideal, with the surface being very uneven and in places there were the odd hole, one in particular on the centre circle which was a danger to the players.

The game itself was fairly even in the opening half with each team creating chances. Quinn for the visitors went close on two occasions, whilst McCallion for Strabane got himself into some good scoring positions, but always laid the ball off to a colleague when a shot may have been more effective. However the same player was instrumental in Strabane's opening score in the 31st minute.

McCallion worked his way into the penalty area before passing to G Gallagher, who made no mistake from ten yards.

The Roe men hit back with several attacks and Conroy was forced into a couple of good saves. Strabane were unlucky not to go further ahead when their maurauding right back Stephen McCrory ran onto a ball from Moore, 20 yards from goal and stuck a great shot which the goalkeeper was lucky to get a hand to.

The second half was a high tempo affair with chances being created and missed on each side. Roulston saw a shot from four yards rebound of the keeper and Conroy saved from Quinn on two occasions.

Strabane, in the last 20 minutes of the match, began to get on top with Gerard Donaghey in particular getting through a lot of work in midfield. Nelson, up front was also more involved in the game and combining well with Roulston who had replaced S Gallagher (who went off injured). With 15 minutes to go Strabane worked a second goal when centre back Griffin shot from outside the area along the ground and whilst his shot was well enough hit, it looked as if the keeper had it covered. Suddenly it took a wicked bounce as he went to pick the ball up and it squirmed past him. This killed off the Limavady side's chances and Strabane retained their position as League leaders.

After the match a spokesman for the Strabane club said that, "We deserved the win, but talk of a League challenge is a bit premature as there are only six sets of matches played."

This Saturday Strabane FC are off to Mid Ulster League leaders Dollingtown in the Irish Senior Cup.