Here’s a roundup from yesterday’s games in the Glencar Inn and Old Orchard Inn Saturday Divisions.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Orchard F.C. 3 Milford United Reserves 2
This game was played under testing conditions at Letterkenny Community centre. Both teams struggled to get a hold on the game but it was Orchard that went the closest on a few occasions with John Boyle playing well on the right wing.
Orchard took the lead when a header from Sean Sweeney struck the arm of a defender and the referee awarded a penalty.
Michael Devine put the spot kick away at the second time of asking.
Orchard then went two up when Gio Peoples stepped up a struck a sweet free kick into the top corner. A defensive mishap allowed Milford back into it, a through ball cut out the Orchard defence and the visiting striker made no mistake.
The game was turned on its head when Gerard Patton was sent off for dissent. Orchard defended brilliantly and kept the Milford attack out for a long period of the game until they eventually got the equaliser on the 70th minute. Orchard made a couple of substitutions and they had a great impact.
It was Luke Friel who got the winner with a touch of class in the 88th minute fantastically opening his body and placing the ball in the bottom corner.
Excellent team performance from both teams in difficult conditions.
Donegal Town Reserves 2 Strand Rovers 3
Donegal came out of the traps quick in this closely fought contest, with a goal within the first five minutes.
Ciaran Monaghan played a great cross-field ball to Gary Ward who crossed low to David “Ted” Bustard. Bustard’s shot was turned in by James Kerrigan who poked home from close range. From here Strand settled into the game applying pressure with some good physical play.
Strand equalised on the half hour mark when a loose ball on the edge of the area resulted in a shot from Ryan Greene which was deflected past the grasp of Town keeper Liam O’Meara.
The men from Dungloe doubled their tally when a long-range shot was well saved but the follow up was finished by Conor Greene into the corner.
Five minutes before half time Town had the chance to equalise when Ted was fouled in the box but the Strand keeper guessed right and saved Gary Ward’s penalty.
The start of the second half was a feisty affair with several cards shown to both sides and this played a part in two quick red cards for Strand.
The first of these was for an altercation in midfield and two yellows were produced to Jack Greene. Shortly afterwards Matthew O’Donnell seen the line after a second yellow was produced by referee Andrew Mullen. From here Town pushed on looking for the elusive equaliser but it was Strand who extended their lead when Ryan Greene pounced on a loose ball at the back post and finished past the Town keeper.
Donegal threw everything they had at Rovers for the last 15 minutes and got a goal back through Ronan Mc Hugh who prodded home after some pinball in the Strand penalty area.
Try as they might The Town men couldn’t find that all important third goal and Strand dug in to guarantee all 3 points went their way.
Good entertaining game and best for Strand was Ryan Greene and good team performance from Donegal.
Glencar Celtic 6 Cappry Rovers Reserves 1
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 4
(No Report Submitted)
Lagan Harps Reserves 1 Drumbar F.C. 2
Drumbar came out on top in a keenly contested game. Drumbar started well and Rahman Balogun caused problems down the left with his pace and power.
They went close at a corner but Lagan managed to scramble it clear.
Lagan went close on fifteen minutes when Conor Temple forced a good save from Oisin Bryson.
Drumbar took the lead when Caolan Heaney robbed a Lagan defender before firing a rocket past John Cunningham from a narrow angle.
The second half was equally hard fought. Lagan equalised on seventy-five minutes when Travis Crawford’s deflected shot found the net. Drumbar regained the lead minutes later when Rahman Balogun beat a defender and rounded the keeper before squaring for Caolan Loughery to fire home.
Lagan pushed for an equaliser but Drumbar could have scored on the break. Dean Murray went close for Lagan late on but Drumbar took the points. A great and sporting effort by both sides in difficult conditions.
Referee: Tony McNamee
Raphoe Town Reserves 4 Fintown Harps AFC 3
This was a very tight game from the off. Raphoe scored first though Kielan Kelly but Fintown equalised.
Paddy Gallagher got Raphoe’s second and Paddy Kelly added a third before Kielan netted again for the fourth. Fintown came back into it with two late goals. Paddy Gallagher was best for Raphoe Town
Drumkeen United Reserves 1 Gweedore Celtic Reserves 3
Drumkeen welcomed Gweedore Celtic to a breezy St Patrick’s Park on Saturday and it was the visitors who took all three points despite the best efforts of the home team.
Gweedore were third in the League before this game and are now up to second but Drumkeen will feel they should have got at least a point from a game where they hit the crossbar three times and scored an own goal. Drumkeen took the lead early in the first half but the visitors were soon back on level terms thanks to an unfortunate Drumkeen defender who put the ball in his own net.
The visitors then went a goal ahead. Drumkeen did have a chance to level things before the break but this was the first of their efforts which hit the crossbar so it was 2 – 1 to Gweedore at the break.
Drumkeen continued to push for an equaliser in the second half but the crossbar came to Gweedore’s rescue twice more.
The visitors added a third goal midway through the second half to guarantee they would take all three points. This was a good old fashioned Saturday League Game played in a good sporting manner in difficult conditions. Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.
Dunlewey Celtic 0 St. Catherines Reserves 0
This top of the table clash which was full of major moments. The home side ere on top for most of the game but were unable to convert their chances as the visitors held out. They caused the home side some trouble but it was well dealt with by Ciaran Sclannon and Lorcan Gallagher. As with all top of the table clashes it was a tense affair leaving both teams in with a chance of winning the league but there will be many twist and turns before then.
