Champions Fanad United continued their unbeaten run in the Donegal Youth league with a hard fought 4-2 victory over Milford United at Traigh-a-Loch on Monday evening in which both teams served up an excellent match played in good conditions.
Fanad United 4 Milford United 2
The first 20 minutes of the game was end to end without either team creating a clear cut chance.
After winning a succession of corners Fanad finally made one count in the 21st minute when Gerard McAteer’s inswinging ball was met by Peter Curran who headed past the helpless Josh Pond.
Ten minutes later Milford missed a chance to equalise when Darragh Greene showed great skill to flick the ball over the defender at the edge of the box but his shot was saved by Dane Dunworth.
A minute later however Milford got a deserved equaliser in spectacular fashion. When Andreas Afxlentio received the ball 30 yards out, he turned and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
The last chance of the half arrived the 35th minute when Jonah Serrinha’s shot produced a fine save from Dunworth.
The second half started as the first ended with both sides playing some excellent football.
Ten minutes into the half Milford took the lead. When Darragh Greene held the ball up he played a perfect pass to Jonah Serrinha who slotted the ball cooly into the bottom corner.
The lead however only lasted two minutes as Fanad hit back with an equaliser. When a free was awarded out on the right, Paul Bradley swung in a superb ball which was met at the back post by Darren McElwaine who powered his header home.
Fanad came agonisingly close to going ahead on 63 minutes when John Heraghty seen his header from a corner crash back off the cross bar.
With ten minutes remaining Fanad took the lead from another set piece. Paul Bradley was the architect again when his corner was headed home by Brad Patterson.
Six minutes before time Fanad made the points safe with a fourth goal. After some great work down the right from Ronan Gallagher and Brad Patterson, the latter teed up Paul Bradley who got the goal his performance deserved.
Milford to their credit didn’t give up and had a great chance to get a goal back in the final minute when the dangerous Darragh Greene found space down the left, he cut in but his shot flew just wide of the post.
It’s not the last these two sides will see of each other as they have been drawn to play in the Colin Breslin Memorial Youth Cup with Milford having home advantage. Best for Fanad were Peter Curran, Paul Bradley and Brad Patterson. Best fro Milford were Conor Coll, Darragh Greene and Ryan Toye
Fanad United: Dane Dunworth, John Heraghty, James Kerr, Ryan Taylor, Peter Curran, Darren McElwaine, Ronan Gallagher, Paul Bradley, Gerard McAteer, Brad Patterson, Ciaran Coyle. Sub used: Paul Keaney
Milford United: Josh Pond, Rory O’Donnell, Oisin Doherty, Ciaran Black, Niall Trearty, Odhran Crossan, Conor Coll, Andreas Afxlentio, Darragh Greene, Ryan Toye, Jonah Serrinha. Sub used: Luke Serrinha
Referee: Liam McLaughlin
