VIDEO: Park Celtic Summerhill and Robinstown share spoils in thrilling NEFL clash

NEFL Division 3
Park Celtic Summerhill 2 - 2 Robinstown 

Justin Burke reports

Both Park Celtic Summerhill and Robinstown have not met in the league in a couple of seasons and though the home side won both encounters last time out they knew they faced a younger Robinstown outfit this time. 

Despite Robinstown enjoying the early exchanges they fell behind to the hosts just after the half hour mark when a quick free kick by Brian Rispin  to John Duffy saw him link up with Kevin O'Neill and Kian Hussey before delivering an inch perfect cross to the backpost where John Farrell ghosted in behind the defence to head home past John Kelleher to put Park Celtic one goal to the good. 

The visitors Robinstown struck back five minutes before the break when right back Mark O'Neill played a lovely one two with Jack Brady down the right side and Brady had more work to do beating his opponent before sending a cross into the box which wasn't dealt with and Ciaran Roche with his back to goal turned quickly to fire a right foot shot into the back of the net to bring these sides level again just before the interval. 

The home side came into the second half more determined and midway through the half they regained the lead when a clearance saw Mark Donoghue play a quick pass to his strike partner Kian Hussey who ran at the Robinstown defence and while trying to play a pass the ball fell back into his path and he took one touch before drilling his shot low into Kellehers net. 

The never say die attitude of Robinstown was on display once again when their persistance paid off with minutes remaining, as their claims for a penalty were waved away following a soft challenge on substitute Joe Balogun, the ball fell to another substitute Niall McElwaine and as he controlled it he felt the force of Park Celtic defender Jimmy Murphy in a hard challenge on the edge of the box and Mark O'Neill took responsibility of the free and curled it through a packed box which found its way into the far corner of the net to level the scores once again. 

Both sides shared a point each in a thrilling match with Robinstown manager Damien Sheridan saying he thought on reflection of the game, a draw was a fair result. Park Celtic joint manager Michael Corrigan said  his side were disappointed that his didn't hold onto their lead for the second time in the match and sees it as two points dropped but fair play to Robinstown for never giving up. 

See Tuesday's paper for more reaction