THE IMPRESSIVE new floodlights at Dry Arch Park were flicked on for a competitive game tonight for the first time and two Bonagee teams served up a real cracker to light up the night.
Bonagee Athletic 2 Bonagee Arcade 2
It was a fitting occasion for the new lights, which add a finishing feel to the superb complex at Dry Arch, to get their first airing.
Bonagee Athletic and Bonagee Arcade served up a belting two-all draw in the Letterkenny and District Under-14 First Division.
The official switch-on will be performed in the coming weeks but if this is anything to go by the future is bright for Bonagee.
[adrotate group=”85″]Bonagee Athletic came from behind to lead 2-1 as Jason Blake and Luke Doherty netted after Yanka Madodo put Arcade ahead, but Patryk Rampalski’s equaliser ensured it finished all square.
All the goals came in a pulsating first half between the sides managed by the Patton twins, Mark (Athletic) and Charlie (Arcade), pictured above by Tony McNamee.
Their teams couldn’t be separated either.
Madodo shot Bonagee Arcade in front with just three minutes gone as he slotted home after taking a pass from Daniel Padmore.
Bonagee Arcade ‘keeper Josh Mullen did well to avert the danger when Jay Maguire slipped a ball through for Ben Hopkins.
But Bonagee Athletic drew level in the 15th minute. Jason Blake, from the left-hand side of the penalty area, bent a cracking effort beyond Mullen into the far corner of the net.
Athletic took the lead just before the half-hour mark. The excellent Luke Doherty, who was named Man of the Match, saw his shot deflect wide after he weaved his way into position.
From a wonderful corner by TJ Wylie, the ball broke to Doherty, who hammered high past Mullen.
The lead was short-lived, though. Two minutes later, Arcade drew level. Ronan Coady, the Athletic goalkeeper, brilliant turned onto the crossbar from Patryk Rampalski, but Rampalski reacted to slot home.
Bonagee Arcade. Picture by Tony McNamee
Rampalski and Madodo both had chances to restore the Arcade lead, but Coady denied them.
Arcade’s Kaymin Shott twice went close to putting his team ahead early in the second half, but saw one attempt cannon off the post and the other saved by Coady.
[adrotate group=”53″]Madodo, too, could have been the match-winner but fired just over after getting the better of David Baoke and Sergey Alcorn.
At the other end, Doherty showed wonderful skill to take a touch and beat his man on the stand side but, after rounding Mullen, he shot into the side netting.
On the occasion that was in it, a draw was a fair and fitting way for the club’s new era to be brought in.
Bonagee Athletic. Picture by Tony McNamee
Bonagee Athletic: Ronan Coady, David Baoke, Sergey Alcorn, Ben Dunne, Jason Blake, Eathan McMenamin, Jay Maguire, TJ Wylie, Dylan Patton, Luke Doherty, Ben Hopkins. Subs used: Oisin Sweeney, Ronan Gallagher, Conor Malone, Mark McKay.
Bonagee Arcade: Josh Mullen, Jake Patton, Scott Thompson, Daragh Kirk, Luke Cassidy, Kaymin Shortt, Daniel Padmore, Charles Kelly, Patryk Rampalski, Fintan O’Kane, Yanga Madodo. Subs used: Denzel Kwarteng, James Cassidy, Ewan Kavanagh.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
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