Prosperous United 2 - Kilcullen AFC 1
Picture Credit - Daniel J O'Neil Photography
It was Prosperous United who came out on top at home to Kilcullen AFC on Sunday morning in Ballinafagh.
The game was played in good conditions as the forecasted rain did not arrive. Kilcullen started the brightest and kept the Prosperous team in their own half for much of the first fifteen minutes. Kilcullen came close from a couple of good crosses into the box but never did hit the target. Prosperous were just getting settled when they failed to deal with a cross from the right wing into the box leaving the Kilcullen number 9 David Wilson to steer home from close range.
Prosperous started to find their feet and grow into the game following the goal. Sean O’Connor picked the ball up from deep just before the half hour, dribbled into the space in front of him before hitting a thunderous drive into the top right hand corner from about thirty yards out and it was all level.
The game got to half time all square with Prosperous continuing to improve. After the break the game started much like the first half with Kilcullen pressing for the first couple of minutes. This changed when right back for Kilcullen, Patrick Deering, received two yellow cards in four minutes from referee James McDonnell. Prosperous would play with with the extra man for just under forty minutes.
The game continued to entertain with good football played by both teams. Prosperous began to get on top with the extra man and should have pulled clear when Cian Byrne hit the bottom of post when one on one with Jamie McGowan. The keeper would come out on top again against Byrne when he was put through with a great pass from Jamie Cullen - McGowan saving well with his legs on this occasion.
The game looked to be heading for a draw when Prosperous got a free kick on the right hand side of the Kilcullen box. It was Cullen who stood over the ball and with his left foot curled the ball in over McGowans head to put Prosperous 2-1 up with two minutes plus injury time to go.
Kilcullen pushed hard for an equaliser and put pressure on the home teams defence with some free kicks and two corners at the death. The Prosperous defence well martialed by captain Eoin O'Reilly throughout the game held firm to see Prosperous pick up all three points.
