OLDTOWN CELTIC were the big winners in the Donegal Saturday League yesterday as the Letterkenny outfit won 7-0 away to Glenea United Reserves – here’s a full roundup from yesterday’s action.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 Donegal Town Reserves 1
(No Report Submitted)
Milford United Reserves 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1
Milford Reserves welcomed Kildrum Reserves to Moyle View Park on Saturday afternoon for what was a highly anticipated game in the Glencar Inn Division One.
The game started at a fast pace and it was Kildrum who had the first chance when a turn and shot from Michael Lynch went just wide of Barry Gallagher’s left hand post.
Kildrum continued to push forward and use their physical presence. The hosts found themselves ahead after 10 minutes however. A sublime free-kick from Diggy Buchanan saw a powerful Ryan Campbell header hit the cross bar.
Ciaran Blaney calmly crossed the rebounding ball to an alert Ryan Campbell who was on hand to turn the ball home after 12 minutes. Kildrum tried to get back in to the game with Lynch driving them forward but Milford looked the more likely to increase their lead.
Ciaran Blaney then found Brandon Wilkie on the 25-minute mark but his shot was well saved. Kildrum responded well to Milford’s drive and although they had their chances, it was Milford who were left frustrated.
Another impressive free kick from Diggy Buchanan on the left-hand side saw Raymond Friel’s header pushed around the post to safety. Milford were unfortunately left to rue these chances before half time as Kildrum’s Michael Lynch showed why he is the main man for Kildrum. After conceding a free kick on the edge of the box, the Kildrum man hit a powerful right footed shot to Barry Gallagher’s left hand side which left the number 1 with little or no chance.
Kildrum took their new-found confidence in to the second half and pushed forward but some impressive performances from Kevin McGee, Raymond Friel and Ryan Flood kept them at bay on several occasions.
Milford’s management looked to counter this threat and a tactical change saw Milford nearly re-take the lead on the 56th minute mark, when Jason Mc Conigley turned two Kildrum defenders to set free Jonah Serrinha who’s resulting run and shot was well saved.
Both teams pushed forward looking for a winner and it was probably Kildrum who had the best of chances, having several chances cleared off the line at numerous stages.
Milford however were impressive as a unit and held strong throughout the second half to frustrate a well organised Kildrum team. With the game fizzling out and both teams frustrating each other it was brought to an end with the result a fair reflection on proceedings.
Fintown Harps AFC 1 Strand Rovers 2
Played at Pairc Achla, Fintown, at half time there was nothing between these two teams. In the thirty second minute Steven Boyle put the ball through to Odhran Doherty who put Fintown one up.
As the minutes ticked away Strand piled on the pressure and found the net twice in the last four minutes to win the game. After an outstanding performance from Fintown Harps they were unlucky to not at least draw if not take all three points from the match
Glenea United Reserves 0 Oldtown Celtic 7
An understrength Glenea Reserves suffered defeat against a strong Oldtown side. The away side took the lead on 12 minutes when Chick Mc Laughlin converted a penalty.
Oldtown continued to press in the first half and proceeded to add further goals from Luke Nelis with two, Sean Clearly with two and Ronan Curran.
In the second half Oldtown continued to press but were held at bay until the 80th minute when Johnnie Boyle scored with a fine long range effort.
A spirited effort from the home side while Luke Nelis was best for Oldtown
Glencar Celtic 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 4
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 2 Dunlewey Celtic 3
Kilmacrennan came racing out of the blocks, with Eddie Doherty scoring inside the first 5 minutes. The home side doubled their lead on 25 minutes from a corner, where Ryan McFadden headed the ball home from a McElwaine delivery.
Dunlewey had a penalty on 30 minutes which was sent wide of the post, 2-0 half time. Dunlewey got off the mark on 55 minutes when the Kilmacrennan keeper made a save, but the referee decided it had crossed the line.
The equaliser came on 75 minutes when Lorcan Gallagher slotted home from five yards. Dunlewey scored the winner in the 86th minute with a 25-yard strike that ended up in the top corner
Ballybofey United Reserves 0 Drumkeen United Reserves 5
Ballybofey United Reserves succumbed to a wiser Drumkeen United Reserves side at Dreenan on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Guthrie has experience beyond his years and it showed when he had his side two to the good after ten minutes. That’s how it remained until the interval. Ballybofey were better after the break but a penalty on seventy minutes offered the Drumkeen hitman an opportunity to complete his hat-trick.
He was well up to the task and converted from twelve yards. Drumkeen put a gloss to the scoreline in the last few minutes when they added two more.
Aidan Martin got the goal of the game for Drumkeen’s forth and Rory Craig got their fifth in the dying exchanges.
It is a building process for Ballybofey Reserves however and they will have better days at the office while Drumkeen can mix it with the best on their day.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 Cranford United Reserves 1
The home side had a bright start to the game and took the lead in the 9th minute when Karl McGlynn found the bottom corner from 20 yards. Cappry pressed and scored again through James Speight who headed home a Ryan McGee corner in the 18th minute.
Cranford didn’t give in and looked to find a way back into the game. They got the goal they deserved on the stroke of half time when Keith Buchanan headed home a corner at the back post.
The away side started the 2nd half strong and pressed to get level but couldn’t find a way through the Cappry defence. Cappry were dangerous on the break and almost added a 3rd but Karl Mc Gylnn’s effort went wide. Cranford pressed right until the final whistle but Cappry held on for the 3 points. Two team performances.
Referee: Diego Rainey
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 4 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
Both teams took time to settle into their rhythm and it was Drumoghill who struck first when Ethan McCready seized on a defensive mistake to fire home.
Drumoghill scored two more goals in quick succession from Dylan Mc Elhinney and Mark Gibson and looked to be cruising, even missing a few good chances to increase their lead. Castlefin dug in however and played their way back into the game with goals from Reece Gallagher and Nicky Scott.
Drumoghill started the second half well and made it 4-2 when Mark Gibson latched onto a great through ball from Chris Devenney and slotted home. Castlefin kept fighting and got their reward when Reece Gallagher got his second with 20 minutes left.
Castlefin pushed for an equaliser but could find no way past the Drumoghill keeper Shane Duffy. Mark Gibson was best for Drumoghill and a good team performance from a young Castlefinn side.
Referee: Zach McLaughlin
Copany Rovers 3 Drumbar F.C. 2
(No Report Submitted)
