Draperstown approached this game confidently, on the back of a winning streak stretching back to the start of February. They were even able to rest regulars Murray and McSorley. This risk did not seem to pay off however, as it was Heights who started the brighter, holding the majority of the possession in midfield. The Draperstown defence did, however, deal admirably with all that was thrown at them, with Glass in particular being singled out for praise in his first start since September.
It therefore came against the run of play when Draperstown took the lead. A neat passing spell down the right hand side involving G Conway and Kelly was well completed when Diamond finished well after a beezer through ball.
This was just the shot in the arm the visitors needed, and from the kick-off began to take control of the match, with their midfield dominating the opposition. From this, Draperstown were unlucky not to double, or even treble their lead with at least two good chances going a-begging before the interval.
At half-time Draperstown made two changes, with McCullagh and Taggart making way for Murray and McSorley, meaning a change of formation to 3-4-3, signalling their intention to put the game beyond doubt. However, once more it was Heights who started the better from the kick-off, attacking brightly from both flanks. It came as no real surprise when they levelled the game. A header out of defence was punished by poor marking when a Heights striker acrobatically sent the ball into the side of the net from the edge of the box.
Just as in the first half, it took a goal to liven up Draperstown, and again they seized the initiative, immediately pushing forward to regain the lead. Murray on the left wing caused a whole host of problems, whilst Kelly and Bradley combined well on the right side to create a few beezer chances. And this paid off, when a good attack down the right yielded a goal for McClenaghan. A great through ball was delicately lobbed over the on-coming keeper.
Not content with a one goal advantage, Draperstown continued to push forward, and got their reward with an excellent 3rd goal. McKillion, up from the centre of defence, nicely nodded onto the G Conway on the edge of the box, who brilliant chested the ball into the ball into the path of Diamond, who finished well from just inside the box.
Draperstown continued to attack, and could have gotten a fourth, but the final ball was just lacking, typified by Murray, who on two occasions went on 30 yard plus runs, but both times could not find the net. The match ended with a very deserving win for Draperstown, who face league-toppers Limavady.
