Starting line-up (4-1-3-2): JP McConnell, G Kelly, G OKane, D McSorley, M OKane, D McKillion, K ONeill, G Conway, J Higgins, K Laughry, G OKane
Subs: C Donnelly, S Dobbs, C OKane, C Diamond
Draperstown kicked off with the breeze blowing against their backs. Immediately, they pegged the visitors back, and looked dangerous, creating many good opportunities.
In midfield, Draperstown dominated and the defence was well on top of the opposing strikers. In contrast, Heights seemed unable to compete with the speed of the Draperstown front line. More and more opportunities were spurned by Draperstown, but always looked like scoring.
Then with ten minutes before halftime, the deadlock was broken by a freak wonderstrike by Conway. He floated in a corner that was caught by the wind, completely bewildering the Westbank goalie. The ball soared over his head and into the net, giving Draperstown a weird but deserving one goal advantage.
Straight from the kick off, Heights attempted to get right back in the game, and from their first attack, nearly did so. A long, winding run from a Heights attacking nearly ended with a goal much against the run of play. A shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly parried by McConnell, nearly into the path of an oncoming striker. However, partly due to luck and good defending, Draperstown held onto their lead.
With only minutes remaining, Draperstown added to their advantage. A great attack ended with the Heights defence being sliced open for what must have been the tenth time. This time, the offside flag stayed down, and G Bradley coolly slotted the ball past the keeper.
Half time came and the 2nd half started with no changes from Draperstown. The 2nd half continued much the same way as the first, except with Heights coming into it a little more. Still Draperstown looked immensely dangerous upfront, especially with the pace of Laughry, Bradley and ONeill.
A few chances went begging from both sides. Then with 25 minutes remaining in the match, Draperstown made sure of the victory. A great build up involving good work from Higgins and great skill, nutmeg and shot from Laughry ending with the goalkeeper saving the ball across the line. McKillion, who was well placed, then had the easiest of finishes to kill of chances of a spirited Heights come back.
However, they did claim a consolation strike with ten minutes of play left. A nice attack ended with a great diving header from inside the box, though Draperstowns defending left a lot to be desired.
Soon after ONeill made way for Donnelly. During this time play was pretty even, with not very much happening. And so the final whistle blew with the two teams being separated by 2 goals, though it could, and maybe should have been at least 3 or 4.
