League v Wilton United in Pat Bowdren Park on Saturday 22nd October 2016.
Wilton United 1 Carrigtwohill United 3
Scorers – Robert Adam 2, Darragh Hoare
The third match of the CSL season was an away tie against Wilton United on a crisp but calm October morning. Carrigtwohill had failed to beat this opposition in their previous two meetings last season but each was a very close battle.
It was Wilton who came out of the blocks when the whistle was blown and dominated possession of the ball in the opening 20 minutes. Good work by our back four and James O’Shaugnessy in particular kept the opposition at bay. With most of the threat coming down the left, James was instrumental in repelling Wilton with superb positioning, good tackling and effective clearances. This was to be a match that would turn on 3 key turning points – thankfully all of which went Carrigtwohill’s way.
With the match still tipped in Wilton’s favour, Victor Omesbi in goals pulled off a superb save to keep the match at 0-0. Shortly afterwards, Carrigtwohill won a free about 40 yards from the Wilton goal. As Robert Adam lined up the free, nobody really considered that a goal was possible. What followed was a sublime strike certainly as good as anything you will see at any level. He struck the ball with strength and accuracy and placed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net beating the keepers full length dive. Ronaldo would have been proud of Rob’s strike !
Carrigtwohill now had the initiative and the game opened up with chances on either side. Although, we conceded a goal from a long ball over our defence, our lead was restored by a super individual goal from Darragh Hoare – 2-1 at half-time.
The second half was to follow the same pattern as the first – with Wilton making the running in the first 10 minutes and striking the post from one of several corners we conceded. But our defence was playing well with Daire Sullivan doing superb work at centre back and Ronan Ymedi rock solid at left back.
Another turning point came mid-way through the second half and it was Robert again who was come up trumps with a rocket shot from the edge of the box which the keeper was unable to hold and spilled into the net.
Carrigtwohill were to create several chances after this to extend their lead but were delighted to run out 3-1 winners in a match that could have gone either way. However, it was Carrigtwohill that had the match winners on day.
Player of the Match – Robert Adam