Bay FC 4-2 Redeemer Celtic
Bay fc were crowned NEFL Division 2 champions on Friday night as they overcame local rivals Redeemer Celtic in Glenmuir park.
The opening half hour was a very cagey affair with both sides showing nerves,both keepers were rarely worked, the best chance in that period falling to Quadri Olowu who looked clean through on goals only for a brilliantly timed tackle to snatch the chance away from him. It was the striker who broke the deadlock for Bay, chasing down a Brian Mc Closkey ball the striker got a toe to it to nick it past the on rushing keeper and the chasing redeemer defender couldn’t prevent it from rolling in. The goal settled bay down and they began passing the ball around more confidently, seeing the half out comfortably.
The 2nd half started with bang as Oluwo claimed his 2nd after just 30 seconds, Paddy Connor playing him in as he went one on one with the keeper and chipped it over him to make it 2-0. Bay seemed to be on there way but Redeemer got back into the game in fortuitous circumstances, a dangerous cross from the right deflected off bay defender Pairic Browne & the ball sailed into the Bay goal via the crossbar to get Redeemer back into the game. Moments later they could have been level only for keeper Kevin Mullen to pull of the save of the game, a rasping shot from the edge of the box looked destined for the back of the net only for Mullen to stretch out and get fingertips to it & send it around the post.
Redeemer were on the ascendancy but with 35 left on the clock Olowu struck to claim his hat-trick and take the wind out of Redeemers sails, Shaun O’Connor proving the assist this time around to give bay back their 2 goal advantage.
Redeemer pressed hard for a way back into the game but Bay’s defence stood strong and snuffed out much of the danger. With 5 minutes left Bay sub Joe Woods killed the game off altogether as Olowu squared the ball to him for a composed finish inside the box. Redeemer grabbed a late consolation goal but it was Bay’s night and they lifted the division 2 trophy and gained promotion to Division 1.
Team : Kevin Mullen, Brian McCloskey, Steven McGuinness, Angelo Stanley(Mark Larkin 55), Pairic Browne, Shaun O’Connor, Paddy Connor, Anto McLaughlin(Johnny Winters 80), Alfonso Crespo(Joe Woods 70), Quadri Olowu, Alan McCartney. Subs ; Kevin Scollon, Mario Molak, Robbie Murphy
