Courtney blots his copybook
WHEN Duane Courtney headed The New Saints into a 2-0 lead against Port Talbot after 51 minutes, he was heading for the man-of-the-match award after his most impressive display for the club.
But eight minutes later it all turned sour as the former Burnley defender reacted angrily to a challenge by Dean Johnstone and found himself booked for an innocuous shove. Courtney continued to argue his case and, following a linesman's intervention, was then red-carded by Swansea referee Simon Jones for aiming a gesture and foul language at the Steelmen's dugout, sparking angry exchanges from both camps.
The flashpoint added some spice to an encounter that Saints had dominated from the start. John Toner gave his side a deserved lead when turning to fire home from seven yards, after John Leah had mis-cued his strike from the edge of the box following a Jamie Wood corner.
Toner, who has now scored 14 league goals this term, should have given the Saints a second-minute lead when glancing his header wide following Chris King's left-wing cross.
The Saints continued to carve openings with some neat passing on a sticky surface with Courtney's low drive from 25 yards held low down by Talbot keeper Kris Rogers, while Toner headed against the crossbar from a Courtney cross.
Port Talbot struggled to get a foothold in the game and were limited largely to long range efforts, with Johnstone blazing over and Chad Bond rifling a 25-yard volley high over the bar.
TNS could have gone further ahead when Scott Ruscoe's cross was turned narrowly wide of his own post by defender Matthew Rees. King twice went close with a low header saved and another effort blocked on the line.
On the restart, Michael Jackson had his header cleared off the line before Courtney pounced for the second goal, heading in from a corner after Rogers had flapped at the ball.
Lifted by their numerical advantage, the Steelmen showed greater urgency but rarely threatened, with Bond's side-footer their only real chance and Wood, Toner and Ruscoe could easily have extended the home advantage.
Saints' boss Ken McKenna felt Courtney's dismissal was harsh. "Duane was stupid to get involved but I was gob-smacked when he was sent off," he said.
"It's frustrating as it spoilt a good day for us. Up until then we had played really well on a difficult pitch." |