League v Innishvilla in Ballyadam Park on Tuesday 19th April 2016
Carrigtwohill United 3 Innishvilla 2
Scorers – Darragh Hoare, Alex Canty, Robert Adam.
It had been 6 months and one week since the last home game for Carrigtwohill u14’s – such was the extent of cancellations they had to deal with during this past winter – so preparations beforehand seemed a little unfamiliar.
For the opening period of this match, it was Carrigtwohill who made all the running as they stretched Innishvilla down both wings and it was not long before the breakthrough came. After a pacy run down the left wing, Darragh Hoare got in to score the first goal. Our defence was coping very well at this point, with James O’Shaugnessy in particular ably dealing with probing runs down his wing. The end of this half was to produce a glut of goals, with Carrigtwohill striking first to double their lead. Good work again down the left wing saw Innishvilla concede a penalty for handball and up stepped Alex Canty to bury the ball in the net. However, within a few minutes, Innishvilla were to respond. A free kick on the very corner of our penalty box was scored into the top corner of the net giving Victor no chance in goals.
After conceding this goal, Carrigtwohill were to score again directly from the kick-off ! Showing great awareness, after some interplay with Darragh, Alex sent a quick through ball to Robert Adam who met the ball on the half-volley to score a peach of a goal within 20 seconds of the restart. This had been Carrigtwohill’s best 35 minutes of the season to date, but the second half was to be a different scenario.
Innishvilla showed their quality by responding to the challenge and it is fair to say they controlled the second half. Carrigtwohill were under constant pressure on both wings but the defence held strong. Marshalled by Scott McCarthy at the back, they stayed well organised and repelled Innishvilla. Our midfield was constantly chasing and tackling, epitomised by Lionel Kona and this restricted Innishvilla to half chances which were well dealt with by Victor in goals.
Innishvilla did score a good individual goal with a super strike from outside the box and there were some exciting passages of play, with near goals for both teams, but Carrigtwohill were very glad to hear the final whistle and enjoy a hard earned 3 points.
Player of the Match – Scott McCarthy