COCKHILL CELTIC FC found things difficult against a well drilled Bonagee United at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds today.
Cockhill Celtic 4-0 Bonagee United
Bonagee started on the front foot and for the first five minutes had the lions share off possession with both Moran and Larkin passing the ball well in midfield.
The home side however took the lead on seven minutes with their first attack – Ronan Doherty (N) played a short pass to Jason Breslin at left back and as he surged forward he was brought down on the corner off the 18-yard box.
Gerry Gill dispatched the resulting free into the net past a helpless Eugene Ferry’s outstretched left hand.
On 18 minutes Larkin found McLaughlin on the edge of the Cockhill area but the Bonagee frontman’s shot lacked any power and was no trouble to Cullen in the home net. Ferry produced a smart save for Bonagee on 38 minutes when he advanced to save with his legs from a Gerard McLaughlin shot after good work by Jimmy Bradley for the home side.
In the final action off the first period Robb blasted a 20 yard free into the Cockhill wall after Larkin was brought down by Doherty (S) after a good run by the Bonagee midfielder.
Cockhill made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half after a super free by Gerry Gill wide on the right was swung in by his left peg and Jimmy Bradley flicked a free header pass Ferry from six yards in the centre off the box.
Cockhill brought Garbhan Friel into the game on 60 minutes and he should have made it 3-0 on 64 minutes but Ferry gathered well after a cross by Derek Doherty.
Aiden McLaughlin then had a great chance on 68 minutes for Bonagee but he headed wide from 12 yards after a Larkin corner. On 70 minutes Robb cleared off the line for the visitors when Cockhill’s Ronan Doherty (O) really should have scored; it was nearly a costly miss as from the counter McFadden blazed over the bar from 12 yards after a great pass inside by Curran.
[adrotate group=”37″]Cockhill added number three on 75 minutes when Friel picked up a pass from Gerry Gill in the left channel and after he beat Hunter to the ball he advanced into the area to coolly slot the ball into the corner pass the outstretched left had off Ferry with the keeper having no chance.
In the final 10 minutes Cockhill could have added a further 3 goals but Ferry was on his game to keep the ball out after efforts from Friel, Doherty (S) and Doherty (O).
The home side did score number four on 85 minutes with a great team goal that started with a kicked clearance under pressure by Gavin Cullen before passes from Gill, Breslin, Doherty (O), Friel and Doherty (S) eventually found its way to Mal McDermott on the edge off the 18-yard box; the midfielder controlled the ball with a first touch before hammering the ball right footed past Ferry.
Cockhill Celtic: G Cullen, K McLaughlin, J Breslin, P Doherty, W O’Connor, M McDermott, R Doherty (N), J Bradley, G McLaughlin, G Gill, D Doherty (S)
Bonagee United: E Ferry, R Robb, J Lynagh, G Breslin, D Hunter, L Moran, L Curran, K McFadden, A McLaughlin, D Larkin, A Appiah.
Fixtures
Wednesday, April 27th at 7pm
Bonagee Utd. v Letterkenny Rovers
Swilly Rovers v Derry City Res.
Sunday, May 1st
Cockhill Celtic v Letterkenny Rovers
Bonagee Utd. v Swilly Rovers
Derry City Res. v Fanad Utd.
League Table 24/04/16
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
| Cockhill Celtic | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 5 | 31 | 27 |
| Derry City Res. | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 12 | 15 | 23 |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 21 |
| Bonagee Utd. | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 30 | -3 | 15 |
| Swilly Rovers | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 40 | -24 | 6 |
| Fanad Utd. | 13 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 40 | -31 | 5 |
