League v Watergrasshill United in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 26th October 2014
Carrigtwohill United 1 Watergrasshill United 1
Scorer: Mark O’Connor
For their fourth league game of the season, Carrig’s U11s were faced with Watergrasshill United, a team that won all their matches so far with some ease, getting a neat 7 nil win over Richmond, a team that beat Carrig a few weeks ago. So this had the makings of a tough day at the office, with a wind strong enough to move the ball around even without players on the pitch!
However, Carrig’s U11s had another plan for their Sunday morning and they held against the strong wind, dominated by their opponents, but undeterred, especially at the back. Oisin Lynch, Cian O’Riordan and Liam Moore defended like demons, whilst Adam Rooney – the usual first half goal keeper – performed save after save. After a while, Neil Coughlan and Eric O’Sullivan started finding a bit more space in the middle of the pitch and spread the play wide for Cody Cunningham and Darragh Ymedji to run at the Watergrasshill Defence. This brought more balance into the game and when Darragh Ymedji brought danger on the left wing, the ball was cleared by watergrasshill in the path of Cian O’Riordan. His first time cross towards the penalty spot brought disarray into Wategrasshill’s defence and forced the left back to control with the hand. Mark O’Connor made no mistake from the spot, drilling the ball hard to the left of the keeper. So Carrig were one nil up and it did not seem undeserved. The game was even, but then on yet another corner, Watergrasshill’s dead ball marksman floated his cross into the wind and the ball curled down into the top corner. That the goal should come in this way was cruel – although the same player had already it the upright on a previous corner kick! – but the 1 all draw was still good result for Carrig at half time.
With wind now behind them, and with Piaras Fitzpatrick and Mark Durango joining the team, Carrig were off again. Dennis Ogenete was now in goals, but in fact he would only have to save twice in his 30 minutes. A lot of the action came from Carrig and although there was still plenty of defending to do, it was the home team who threatened most often. In the end though, it was to remain 1 all – a great draw for a fast improving Carrig team, well able to hold onto that good result against an impressive Watergrasshill side.
Ballyseedy Home & Gardens Man of the Match: Eric O’Sullivan.