Match Report – AFL Div 2b Rd 4 Bective 2-11 Nobber 2-11
Bective took on Nobber in this Div. 2A round 4 home game on a fine Easter Saturday evening with the pitch in great shape (albeit a little bare in places) after all the rain. Bective, with some season new starts, were focused on getting maximum points after heavy defeats in the first two rounds. It was one of the new starts, Ciaran Mc Connell, that pointed on 2 minutes after a great run from Declan McGuinness. Mark Dowdall, who was involved in most attacks, carried the ball into the big square but was brought down for a penalty. Sean Keating shot right but the Nobber goalie read it and parried to safety. Dale Larkin pointed a free kick for Nobber on 5 minutes and Marty Mulhall converted a free kick on 7 minutes. Again, Larkin pointed from a free kick and Mark O’Brien pointed after a good ball in from Dowdall on 11 minutes. Nobber fired over 3 points from play and Mulhall kicked a fine point from play on 18 minutes. The intensity stepped up to championship level and tackling was fast and furious. Nobber converted a free kick and Paul McCabe pointed after O’Brien was fouled on 26 minutes. Nobber pointed on 32 minutes to lead the half by 1 point.
Nobber 0 – 6, Bective 0 – 5.
Bective, now playing with the breeze, surged forward and a quick free kick from Mark Dowdall was blocked out for a 45, which Mulhall popped over the bar on 2 minutes. Mark O’Brien, in fine form, was hauled down and Mc Cabe pointed the free kick. Larkin converted a free kick for Nobber on 5 minutes. Pat O’Sullivan came on for Bective. Both defense’s were in control at this point with Donagh Garvey and Declan McGuinness in fine form for Bective and McConnell made a couple of great blocks inside the Bective “D”, but Nobber continued pressing and fired to the net on 13 minutes and added a point from play. Dara Maguire was tiring but showed well on his first start and was replaced by Michael Lyness. Mulhall converted a free kick before Keating blasted to the back of the net on 18 minutes to bring the sides level. Bective went ahead with a pointed free kick from Mulhall and Keating added a point on 24 minutes. Ben Sherlock came in for Mc Connell. Nobber were not done with scoring and fired to the net on 25 minutes and added a further 3 points. Now it was Bective’s turn to dig deep and Mathew Cully with a fine performance at midfield carried the ball forward and Mulhall pointed from play on 30 minutes to leave Bective shy by 3 points. Again, Keating was on the end of the swift passing movement and fired his second goal on 32 minutes to level and conclude a fine exciting match and a much-improved display from Bective. Bective travel to Ballivor for round 5 on Tuesday evening.
Bective 2 – 11, Nobber 2 – 11
Bective team: Scott O’Sullivan, Donagh Garvey, Jack Grant, Paul Mc Cabe, Colm Barry, Declan McGuinness, Dara Maguire, Mathew Cully, Neil Dowdall, Chris McGurn, Ciaran Mc Connell, Mark O’Brien, Marty Mulhall, Sean Keating and Mark Dowdall.
