Reports: Glencar Inn Reserve Division takes centre stage on Saturday

THE MAIN FOCUS in the Donegal League on Saturday concentrated on the Glencar Inn Division One.

Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division

Erne Wanderers 2-2 Milford

The home side started the brighter and kept their shape well and created a few early chances.

Peter Boyle found the back of the net with 20 minutes on the clock after a great ball into the box from Dan Warnock. The keeper did well to save the first shot but Boyle was alert to the rebound and tapped it in from five yards out. Erne fell asleep after the goal and gave away the ball toe easily in midfield.

Milford went on the attack down the left and when the ball was squared into the box Shane Goan was caught wrong footed and knocked the ball past Karl O’ Brien into the Wanderers’ net.

Philip Patton then hit the crossbar with a great effort from 40 yards out and both sides created a few more chances but a mixture of bad finishing and great defending kept it honours even at the break. Another Wanderers mistake allowed Milford to go 2-1 ahead when, yet again, a soft ball gave away in their own half had them on the back foot.

With just over an hour on the clock Wanderers won a free kick on the edge of the box which Patton calmly converted into the far corner. A good team performance from Milford with Packie Hill, Dan Warnock and James Kelly best for Erne.

St Catherine’s 4-2 Curragh Athletic

St Catherines hosted Curragh Reserves in Emerald Park and they got their first league win of the season.

Saints started quickest and had Curragh pinned in their own half for the first 20 minutes. Paul McFadden put St Catherines in front after 15 minutes with a tap in from close range after good work down the left by Callum Quinn. McFadden doubled Saints’ lead on 25 minutes when he was quickest to react to a long kick-out from Shane O’Gara.

Curragh got one back on 43 minutes after a quick counter attack, Garvin Tinney scored from close range. Curragh were level five minutes after the break when Simon Canning found the back of the net.  St. Catherines restored their lead on 52 minutes when Eamon Bonner poked home from close range.

Saints wrapped up all three points on 70 minutes when Stephen Leslie scored from a free kick from the edge of the box.  Best for St Catherines were Shane O’Gara and Kyle Frame. Good team performance by Curragh. 

Drumoghill F.C. 2-0 Keadue Rovers

Drumoghill came out on top in this game but the story could have been a lot different if Keadue had taken a few of their chances.  Drumoghill’s first goal came in the 20th minute when John O’Kane headed home a Christy Martin corner.  

Keadue reacted well after the goal and should have had one of their own 10 minutes later when Boyle found himself one on one with Toner in the Drumoghill goals.  Toner saved his strike with Richard Tinney clearing the rebound.  

The second half was more of the same with Drumoghill pressing Keadue for that all important second goal.   Keadue soaked up the pressure well but were limited to breaking on the counter attack.  

Goal number two did arrive for Drumoghill and it was a beauty.   A Mark Gibson cross into the box was met by Ethan McCready’s bicycle kick which struck the back of Keadue’s net giving Ben Boyle no chance in the Keadue goals. 

Glenea United 2-1 Donegal Town

Glenea Reserves kept their good run in the league going with a well-earned victory over Donegal Town.

The home side had the aid of a strong breeze and dominated the first half going close on a number of occasions until they finally opened the scoring on 20 minutes when from close range Martin Doohan stabbed the ball home after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

Glenea continued to press for a second goal and went close with efforts from Ciaran Mc Geady, Martin Maguire and Shane Ferry. Glenea doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Ciaran Gallagher’s long clearance found Ciaran Mc Geady who beat two defenders and played in Martin Maguire who slotted home from 10 yards.

In the second half Glenea continued to control the game and went close a number of times to extending their lead but failed to convert their chances. As the half progressed Donegal Town came more into the game and started to create a couple of chances and they were rewarded on 80 minutes when Nathan Ward scored with a fine drive from the edge of the box.

Donegal Town pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find one. Best for Glenea were Kevin Doohan and Eugene Maguire while Nathan Ward tried hard for Donegal Town. Referee: Martin Coll.

Cappry Rovers Reserves 2-2 Glenree United Reserves

Mc Groddy with two for Glenree United Reserves and a Temple/Carr double for Cappry Rovers Reserves completed the goal-scoring in this Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division match between two sides from these two long established clubs.