There were goals galore yesterday in the Donegal Saturday League – here’s how the action panned out:
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 1 Oldtown Celtic 4
Orchard ran out 4-1 winners on the Island after they came from a goal down to score four imes in the second half.
Brian Proctor had the home team ahead at the break but goals from Michael Devine (2), Luke Friel and Michael Gibson sent Orchard home with the points.
Referee: Marty McCauley
Strand Rovers 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
Strand rovers 3-3 Castlefinn Celtic. Strand scored three early goals in first half 35 minutes with Doalty Boyle Shaun Sharkey and Matthew O’Donnell all on target for the Maghery men.
Castlefin scored three times in the second half to level the game.
Glenea United Reserves 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 2
This North West derby ended all square after a hard fought game. Glenea started well and took the lead on 2 minutes when Michael Barry stabbed home from close range.
Keadue got themselves back into the game on 15 minutes when after a good break down the right the ball was pulled back to Luke Neely and he finished from close range.
Keadue almost took the lead on 18 minutes but Tommy Rodgers was on hand clear off the line for the home side. Both sides pushed hard for the lead goal and Glenea saw a Gerard Maguire header cleared off the line while on another occassion
Michael Barry came close getting his second. In the second half both sides continued to press for a goal and Keadue were rewarded on 65 minutes when Luke Neely got free in the box and he slipped the ball home.
Glenea equalised on 70 minutes when after good play down the left Eamonn Mc Hugh’s cross found Gerard Maguire on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball home.
Gerard Maguire almost got a winner on 77 minutes but after beating a couple of players he saw his effort come back off the post.
Best for Glenea were Kevin Doohan & Gerard Maguire while Jack Doherty was always a threat for Keadue.
Referee: Brian O’Kane
Donegal Town Reserves 6 Dunlewey Celtic 3
Donegal Town recorded back to back home wins on Saturday with victory over Dunlewey Celtic at the Hospital Field.
The game was far from straight forward however as the score line might suggest.
Donegal hit the front early on with David ‘Ted’ Bustard heading home from an Adam Enright cross. Dunlewey were level on the half hour mark when Manus Cannon slotted home after a mix up in the Town defence.
It remained that way until the restart and the visitors found themselves in front early on with Shaun McCafferty finishing well on the counter attack.
Donegal pressed forward in search of an equaliser and it duly came with Eoin Slevin whipping in a wide free kick that ended up in the net.
Adrian Ward then bagged two quick-fire goals to extend the Town lead. Dunlewey never gave up to their credit and pulled the deficit back to a single goal when Paul Coll flicked on a corner at the near post for Patrick Mc Geady to head home.
Donegal restored their two goal advantage with another Eoin Slevin free kick evading the Dunlewey net-minder. Adam Enright finished off the scoring when Matthew Mills broke forward and slotted the ball to Enright who showed good composure to hammer home and seal the win.
Referee: George Clinton
Glencar Celtic 1 St. Catherines Reserves 2
A perfect day in Rathmullan for a game that Glencar will be wondering how they managed to lose.
The home side completely dominated the first half but a couple of good saves and some poor finishing meant they had to settle for going in scoreless at half time.
Glencar lost a couple of key men through injury which unsettled them and Catherines pounced on some hesitant defending to take the lead. Glencar then piled the pressure on and deservedly levelled it through Joe Baker.
It looked like they would push on and take all three points but more sloppy defending allowed the away side to break and calmly score what proved to be the winner as all of Glencar’s efforts couldn’t break down the wall of defenders camped in Catherine’s area.
Mo Friel excelled for Glencar. Big team effort for Catherines.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumkeen United Reserves 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves 3
Drumkeen’s indifferent League form continued as they lost out to visitors Cappry Rovers at St Patrick’s park on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors went ahead through Peter Lafferty mid-way through the first half. Ciaran Dolan equalised for Drumkeen but that was as good as it got for the home team.
Drumkeen tried hard but it wasn’t to be their day as further goals from James Speight and Liam Gallagher added to their misery as Cappry went on to claim the victory which lifts them off the bottom of the table.
This was a good game played in the right spirit.
Referee: Gerald Devine.
Drumbar United 1 Milford United Reserves 2
Both side started brightly with a lot of the play in the middle third. Both side were restricted to long range efforts with Drumbar’s Keelan Heeny’s strike from the edge of the box looking the most menacing.
Vincent Breslin gave the goalie no chance when finished into the bottom corner making it 1-0 to the home side at the break. Both sides came out strong in the second half.
Vincent Breslin got through again but the keeper managed to save.
Drumbar then lost the ball on the left wing and Milford took full advantage and whipped a dangerous ball into the box behind the defence.
Oisin Bryson stopped the first attempt but Ciaran Blaney found himself in a great position to convert the rebound.
Ciaran McGlinchey got Milford’s winner despite Drumbar creating numerous chances.
