A superb strike from Drumbar winger Eamon Reilly was the difference between these close rivals, as they met in a top of the table derby clash last Sunday at Drumbar.
Copany, who have been the surprise package of this year’s campaign will feel they should have come away with at least a point, after dominating midfield for large spells of the match. This result leaves Drumbar at the summit of the table, nine points ahead of local rivals Copany, although Rovers have a game in hand.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, and could have been ahead inside ten minutes. Copany frontman Eoghan Gorman picked the ball up just inside the Drumbar half, he surged past a defender before unleashing a screamer from all of 30 yards that hit the upright leaving Drumbar keeper Martin Cassidy helpless.
Copany went close moments later through one of a number of ex-Drumbar players in the Copany ranks, Raymond Forde saw his low drive well saved by Cassidy after 22 minutes.
The home side also had chances to break the deadlock, with John McLoone going close in the 26th minute after some good build up play from the Drumbar midfield.
The best chance of the first half fell to Copany midfielder Darryl Duncan, who fired over from inside the penalty area after an excellent surging run and pinpoint cross from midfield compatriot Aaron Scott.
The game really sparked into life in the second half, when Copany opened the scoring three minutes after the restart courtesy of Paul McGroary. The midfielder sent a beautifully struck free kick up and over the wall before going in off the post, much to the delight of the Copany supporters.
However, the visitors’ lead was short lived as Drumbar levelled proceedings six minutes later through Ciaran Nixon. The forward was pulled down in the box, and the referee had no alternative but to point to the spot. Nixon stepped up to send Copany keeper Carl O'Brien the wrong way and tie the scores at one apiece.
Copany began to turn the pressure on and could have been two goals to the good, but for a brilliant save by Cassidy from a well struck drive from Forde and some good fortune when Duncan's shot hit the post.
The home side rode their luck at times before taking the lead in the 79th minute. Eamon Riley picked the ball up on the left wing, and fainted inside his marker and spotting Copany keeper O'Brien off his line hit a thunderbolt that flew over the keeper’s grasp and into the top corner to put the home side into the lead with just 11 minutes remaining.
Copany threw everything forward in the final ten put just couldn’t find the end product to level the game as the home side’s backline stood firm. The win sees last year’s promotion play-off losers, Drumbar, sitting comfortably at the top of the table, while Copany lie in second place.
Referee: Victor Rainey
Drumbar United: Martin Cassidy, Rory McGowan, Kevin Martin, James McMullin, Shane Browne, Aidan Cassidy. (Pauric Rooney 26'), (Eoin Harron 77'), Aaron Charles, Declan Bushell, Eamon Riley, John McLoone, Ciaran Nixon.
League
