DERGVIEW.............................................0
KNOCKBREDA........................................0
BY TOMMY NETHERY
SUPREME defending and top notch goalkeeping at either end ensured that this Championship Two opener ended in stalemate although the home side were left reflecting on a number of opportunities that went begging in the closing moments of a titanic tussle at a sun-kissed Darragh Park.
As the clock ticked down, Dergview made a number of substitutions in a enterprising bid to claim outright victory with Warner Mullen, Adam Lecky and Neil Coulter all coming off the bench in an attempt to unlock an unyielding, if somewhat tiring Knockbreda rearguard.
And twice in the dying moments the lightening quick Andy Sproule could have made a name for himself as Dergview went for the jugular.
With just four minutes remaining the prodigal son, who has just returned following an indifferent season at Portadown, pounced on a knock down by Mullen to send a venomous 30-yard pile-driver screaming inches above Paul Mateer's crossbar.
And less than 60 seconds later the rejuvenated attacker left the visiting defence trailing in his wake, following an excellent build-up involving Lecky, Stephen Campbell and Coulter, but the excellent Mateer made a stunning stop to keep out Sproule's rasping low drive.
While Dergview's superior fitness appeared to give Adrian Forbes's charges the edge in the final furlong, the new boys were more than a match for the home side and on this evidence are likely to be challenging in the top half of the table as the inaugural Championship Two season begins to take shape over the coming weeks and months.
Neither side seriously threatened early on, Stephen Campbell's left-footed 16-yarder the only shot in anger until the 20th minute mark when the home side should have taken the lead. A superb sweeping counter attack instigated by combative midfielder Gary Dickson saw Andy Sproule exchange passes with his namesake Gareth on the right. The former Ports ace scampered towards the byline, drilled in an inviting low cross but defender John Burns hoofed clear with the razor-sharp Ryan Campbell breathing down his neck.
Moments later, Knockbreda were cursing their luck and the referee as midfielder Gareth Walsh charged through a static home defence only to be cynically taken out by covering left-back John Carlin. The match official blew immediately for the foul but had he anticipated any advantage he would have noticed Colin Gallagher swooping on the breaking ball to steer it past the advancing James O'Reilly.
That, in truth, was the only occasion that an outstanding home defence of Johnny McCaskie, Gareth Gallagher, John and Hugh Carlin looked in danger of conceding while James O'Reilly returned with an accomplished display between the sticks particular under the high ball. Knockbreda put a strong emphasis on set-pieces and on a number of occasions the Strabane man had to punch clear to take the pressure of his defence.
In attack, Dergview were getting most joy on the flanks and on 37 minutes Ryan Campbell connected with a whipped low cross by over-lapping left back John Carlin but Burns was again on hand to make a timely block.
Carlin and Stephen Campbell then combined to tee-up Ryan Campbell but Mateer was down sharply to his right to make the stop as the home side finished the first half in a flourish.
Andy Sproule burned two defenders on the right before a third put his body on the line to charge down the attacker's rasping drive before Gareth Sproule chested down Ryan Campbell's pull-back only for a backtracking defender to nick the ball of his toe as he prepared to pull the trigger.
The half ended with Knockbreda hitman Miguel Chimes testing O'Reilly from distance and in the opening moments of a ragged second period the visitors were optimistically claiming for handball as Walsh crashed his free kick into the Dergview wall.
That incident arrived shortly after Andy Sproule failed to pick out Ryan Campbell in space while at the opposite end substitute Jay Donvan almost made an instant impact by teeing up Garrett but the diminutive midfielder dragged his 18-yard shot wide of O'Reilly's left upright.
The pacey Paul Young then brought a good save out of the Dergview custodian as the contest entered the final quarter. In fact, that was to be Knockbreda's final contribution in the danger zone as the home side and Andy Sproule in particular went in search of what proved to be an elusive last-gasp winner.
Teams
DERGVIEW: J O'Reilly; H Carlin; J Carlin; J McCaskie; G Gallagher; S Campbell; G Dickson (A Lecky 83); D Burke (capt) (N Coulter 77); G Sproule (W Mullen 83); A Sproule; R Campbell.
Subs not used: A McElwee, A Barclay; G Donaghey.
KNOCKBREDA: P Mateer; R Williams; RL Crawford; J Burns; J McGrath; S Garrett; G Walsh (J Donvan 68); S Curley; M Chimes (W Crossett); C Gallagher (capt); P Young.
Subs not used: S Browne; C Mason; R Doherty.
