Barn follow the trend for stand-in keepers

Barn Utd 2

THERE was a distinct end-of-term feel about the last local derby of the season and perhaps it was just about right that both UUJ and Barn United went home with a point apiece from this 1a tussle on a hard, bouncy pitch at the Factory Grounds.

Barn, like Nortel, Rathfern and Newington the week before, were the latest of our local clubs to field a stand-in goalkeeper, despite having two recognised netminders in their 14 man squad.

However, as it was the last game of the season there was little point in causing any further damage to Christopher Campbell’s staved fingers, while understudy Conor Brown wasn’t risked, given that he was due to fly out to Italy the next day with the Northern Amateur League Under 19s squad.

Christopher, who had given up goalkeeping just a few seasons ago to play up front, was deployed as part of a three-man central defensive partnership, where he didn’t look out of place.

Dee Wakeham, who had seen some custodial duty in a Steel and Sons tie at Downpatrick earlier in the season, was the new Barn number 1.

Opposite number Eamon Browne saw more of the early action, pulling off a fine save to thwart a hungry looking Andy Kane; the striker also angling one right across the face of goal.

UUJ were struck a bad blow on the half-hour when Colm Maxwell, whose commanding presence makes such a difference to that back four, hobbled off with a hamstring injury.

Five minutes later, Fra Miskelly’s men were in front when even Campbell would surely have struggled to get near a crisp strike from Chris McKeown, for his first of the season.

Generally, though, UUJ weren’t getting the shots on target to trouble Barn’s stand-in keeper and the Carrick boys levelled just after the turnaround, when Kane nodded in a Christopher Monteith corner.

UUJ edged back in front on 78 minutes, when Johnny Magennis swung the ball over for Dan McAlea to head past the helpless Wakeham.

Barn salvaged a point three minutes from time, when substitute John Mathers lofted the ball over Browne for his first of the season.

Barn could have won it, had Browne not pulled off two excellent saves to stave off Nicky Sharples. It was a significant point for UUJ - one that lifts them above Grove United and Crumlin United to claim a top six finish.

Barn ended up in ninth place.

UUJ: Browne – Mooney, Maxwell (Walsh), Esler, Darby – McKeown, J Magennis, Lyons, Scollay (McCullough) – McNally (S Kelly), McAlea.

Barn United; Wakeham – Monteith, P Mathers, Campbell, Smyth, Kelly – Lammey (J Mathers), McKee, Osborne – Sharples, Kane. Subs (unused) C Brown, Coulter.