League v Strand United in Ballyanley on Sunday 24th April 2016
Strand United 1 Carrigtwohill United 0
Carrigtwohill u14 were eagerly looking forward to this Sunday morning trip to Strand United looking to build on recent good form. Strand however had other ideas.
Both teams started in lively fashion and it was Carrigtwohill who were to threaten first with a shot from distance from Robert Adam. Strand had two free kicks which were ably dealt with by the Carrigtwohill defence and our midfield was to start to take over with Lionel Kona seemingly everywhere. Alex Canty was providing a cutting edge and three good chances were created one of which was scrambled off the line by the Strand goalkeeper. Just before the break, after a penetrating run, Lionel unleashed shot a fierce shot which again was somehow saved by the keeper.
After re-organising at half-time, Carrigtwohill started the second half as they had finished the first by penning Strand in their own half. Evan Donnelly was a constant threat and had two guilt-edged chances which somehow did not go in. Jamie Dunlea was doing great work on the wing and was a constant source of danger. It seemed like the breakthrough would surely come.
However, the game hinged on two incidents just a few minutes apart. Strand, on one of their few attacks, lofted a high ball into our penalty box. The bounce deceived our defenders and their striker managed to seemingly poke it from our keepers grasp to open the scoring. Just minutes later, it looked as if Evan had got us back on level terms but their keeper hooked the ball back out from goal line and the referee waved play on rather than point to the centre circle. Carrigtwohill continued to press for the remaining minutes with several chances made but it did seem like this was not to be their day – typified when a cross deceived Alex with the goal at his mercy and just 1 yard from the goal.
Sport can be funny at times and one doesn’t always get just reward but Carrigtwohill can at least be happy with the level of performance but need to be more clinical in the future.
Player of the Match – Lionel Kona.