NEFL | Caldwell completes a memorable Glenmuir comeback in Ballyjamesduff
NEFL Division Three | BJD Celtic 2–3 Glenmuir United
Rejuvenated Glenmuir produced a Lazurus-like comeback on Sunday as late, late goals from John Byrne and Eimhin Caldwell secured them all three points against BJD Celtic.
The result all but secures the Blues’ place in Division Three next year. After losing their opening eight games, Glenmuir looked doomed to relegation but under new manager Wayne Conroy, they have won four of their last five matches and will be looking to finish the season with a real flourish.
Despite being much the better side in the first-half, squandering plenty of opportunities, the visitors found themselves a goal behind in the 20th minute.
Central defender Edgar Bitainis misjudged a long ball and the BJD striker nipped in and managed to squeeze a shot past stand-in goalkeeper Pat Crilly.
Things got worse for Glenmuir early in the second-half when Crilly slipped and allowed a speculative effort to go past him and find the net.
To their credit, the Dundalk side never threw in the towel and with 10 minutes to go Ronan Molloy scored a spectacular goal to set up a grandstand finish.
Panic set in amongst the home side’s backline as they conceded free-kick after free-kick and with the 90 minutes almost played, Glenmuir were awarded a penalty which John Byrne stepped up to smash into the bottom right corner.
Smelling blood, Conroy’s charges weren’t content to settle for a point and they completed a memorable comeback in stoppage time to claim the win.
David McComish’s ball up the pitch found Byrne on the edge of the penalty area, the young striker hacked down by a reckless challenge which resulted in a Ballyjamesduff defender getting his marching orders.
Eimhin Caldwell took the subsequent free and his effort flew into the net, via the crossbar, to send the travelling contingent wild.
The referee blew the final whistle before the home side could even centre the ball, capping a wonderful day for the Hoey’s Lane side.
GLENMUIR UNITED: Pat Crilly, David McComish, Niall Hand (Liam Cunningham), Edgar Bitainis, Willy Kelly, Mark Molloy, Brendan Shiels, Eimhin Caldwell, Ronan Molloy, Luke Murray (Ronan Hand) John Byrne.
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