IT COULDN’T BE much tighter at the top of the Old Orchard Saturday Division.
Drumkeen United’s 3-1 win at Drumbar means they join Arranmore United, who drew 0-0 with Glencar Celtic, and Orchard United – beaten 4-3 at Mulroy – on 17 points, although the Islanders have a game in hand.
Arranmore United 0-0 Glencar Celtic
Arranmore played host to Glencar Celtic on the Island in a ding dong battle.
Both teams were at it from the start with Glencar’s neat football creating one or two chances for Conor Gibbons and Eddie McLaughlin. Arranmore had chances of their own through the McGlanaghey brothers but the away ‘keeper Dominic Friel was outstanding on the day and denied both brothers from the first minute to the last.
Arranmore upped the tempo after the change around and came close through Gavin, Chris and then Reynolds but again the way keeper was having the game off his life. Sean O’ Hara was creating havoc down the Arranmore right sending ball after ball into the danger area. Declan Scanlon, on in the second half, almost got the breakthrough for Glencar but he was denied when running clean through, first by the home ‘keeper then by Danny Rodgers.
Michael McHugh saw a header go wide late on for the islanders and a combination of centre back and goalkeeper denied Chris McGlanaghey a last minute winner as he dived to head the ball home only for it to be taken off his head at the last moment.
Mulroy Celtic 4-3 Orchard FC
Mulroy Celtic came out on top in a feisty encounter against league leaders Orchard FC.
Orchard came into the game massive favourites, unbeaten all season and destroying all in front of them. Mulroy took an early lead when Michael Sweeney headed home from a superb Joe Kerr free-kick. Dead ball expert Kerr caused bother with his deliveries all day and soon he added a second when his delivery was carried over the line.
Tempers flared and tension grew and Orchard’s lack of discipline was punished with a red card mid-way through the first half. Mulroy capitalised and went three up when Sweeney bust through and calmly slotted home.
The game threatened to spill out of control at times but to Orchard’s credit they regrouped in the second half and before Mulroy knew what hit them it was 3-2 with Rory O’Gorman and Niall Bonner on the mark.
Orchard pressed for the equaliser but another Mulroy break saw Johnny Friel add a fourth, finishing magnificently under pressure.
Orchard came again and pulled another back from Michael Doherty to make for a tense last five minutes however the Mulroy defence held on for what was an unexpected but superb victory.
Mulroy had heroes all over the pitch with Mc Garvey, Shane Friel and Johnny Friel magnificent throughout however man of the match went to veteran skipper Michael McGrory who led by example throughout putting his body on the line for the cause . Michael Doherty showed his class for Orchard despite being closely shielded by the tireless McGarvey.
Best for Glencar was Dominic Friel who had a day you wish for as a goalkeeper while Chris McGlanaghey and Sean O’ Hara were the pick from the Arran lads.
Drumbar 1-3 Drumkeen United
Drumkeen United moved to joint-top of the table following their victory away to Drumbar.
The St Patrick’s Park side had Peter McNamee to thank as he scored twice, while the visitors were also indebted to Liam McGill for a goal. Conrad Clarke netted for the home team.
Fintown Harps AFC 0-4 Strand Rovers
In wintery conditions at Pairc Achla Fintown Harps hosted Strand Rovers, with the away team running out convincing winners.
In the first half Fintown were in control of the game creating numerous goal chances but just not scoring. Strand eventually settled down and it became a 50/50 game. In the second half both teams came out fighting. Strand got the first goal of the game, which was taken well by Adam McHugh.
Fintown dominated again for the next ten minutes but their hard work just didn’t pay off. In the 65th minute Strand scored another, this time from Doalty Boyle. Shortly afterwards Shane McMillan scored to make it 3-0 in the 70th minute. As the visitors applied pressure to Fintown’s defence Dara Hanlon secured the win with a fouth goal. Great team performances from both sides.
Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 1-2 Glenea United Reserves
Glenea United came out on top against Erne Wanderers.
The home side started off strong but went behind on 20 minutes from a penalty after Wanderers captain Packie Hill was deemed to have fouled and Paul McGee scored the penalty.
Glenea came to life after the penalty but failed to take any of their chances with the Erne back four keeping tight and clearing their lines. Stephen McLaughlin and Dan Warnock came close for Erne. The equaliser came just before half time through Hill.
The second half saw Glenea apply some early pressure but again some quick thinking at the back and some top drawer saves from Karl O’ Brien in the Wanderers net kept the score even. As the half wore on Erne got back into the game and started creating chances again, pushing forward for a winner Wanderers were caught short at the back and conceded a second goal with five minutes remaining on the clock through Aodhan Ferry.
St Catherine’s Reserves 7-0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
St Catherine’s enjoyed a big win at home to Cappry Rovers with Daniel Breslin scoring four times.
The hosts opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Breslin tapped home from close range. Breslin doubled his tally after 18 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box.
Kristian McNelis got St Catherine’s third on 40 minutes with a finish from inside the penalty box. Breslin completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on fifty four minutes and on 60 minutes grabbed his fourth of the game when he rounded the Cappry keeper.
McNelis and Shaun Gorrell completed the scoring for the home team. Best for St Catherine’s were Shaun Gorrell and Daniel Breslin. Team performance from Cappry. Referee:
Milford United Reserves 1-3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
This game was switched to Rathmullan because of a waterlogged pitch in Milford and it was Castlefin who took the points.
Castlefin started the brighter and went one up after ten minutes through Mathew O’Rourke. Just five minutes later it was 2-0, a speculative shot from outside the box from Mathew O’Rourke managed to slip through the keeper’s hands.
Castlefin found themselves down to 10 men after only half an hour. Milford struggled to create any clear cut chances until the 88th minute when Elliot Serrinha found space in the box to fire home. With Milford pressing for an equaliser they were caught on the break, Keith Nelis found the back of the net with the last kick of the game. Mathew O’Rourke was best for Castlefin.
Donegal Town Reserves 2-1 Glenree United Reserves
David Bustard struck twice to give Donegal Town the points when Glenree were the visitors.
Donegal Town were on top from the off, a number of early chances falling to the forward pairing of Bustard and Aaron Gallagher. Donegal’s best chance came half-way through the first half, Bustard displaying his athleticism with an overhead kick that was narrowly tipped over the bar by Glenree’s keeper.
The breakthrough came on the stroke of halftime, a threaded through ball from Adrian Ward finding the feet of Bustard who blasted it home from close range.
The second half commenced much in the style of the first half with Donegal Town dominating the play. Contrary to play it was Glenree who found the net first, Kyle Doherty converting a penalty awarded when the Glenree striker was brought down inside the Donegal Town box. This signified a change in the style of the game, Glenree were back in action.
However, deservedly Donegal Town were the victors with Bustard once again finding the back of the net, dispatching a loose ball in the Glenree box.
Drumoghill FC 3-2 Curragh Athletic Reserves
Drumoghill came out on top in this hard fought game against a spirited Curragh side who gave as good as they got in a highly entering game in The Moss.
The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when Micky Kearny latched onto a loose ball in the 18 yard box which he hit first day high in to the top corner leaving Toner no chance in goals.
Drumoghill settled well after this and took the game to Curragh but it wasn’t until the 40th minute they breached the Curragh defence when Karlos Rodgers played a lovely ball in behind for Marcus Oliver to run onto and slot past the Curragh keeper .
Three minutes later Drumoghill went ahead when Kevin Higgins’ header hit the back off the net from a Christy Martin corner kick. Curragh equalised in the 60-minute when Shea Hannigan headed home from a corner.
Both teams played some great attacking football for the final thirty minutes in search of that one goal that would win the game and it was Drumoghill who got it when Marcus Oliver again latched onto a John O’ Kane pass to round the keeper and fire home the winner on 85 minutes.
Best for Drumoghill were Marcus Oliver and John O’ Kane with Micky Kearny staring for the Curragh.
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