John Cooke Cup v Carrigaline United A in Shanbally on Tuesday 15th May 2018
Carrigaline United A 4 Carrigtwohill United 3
Scores: Anesh Swani 2, OG
The Carrigtwohill United Under-16’s crashed out of the Local Cup against Carrigaline A in dramatic fashion on a sunny evening in Shanbally. In both other U-16’s Cup’s this season, Carrigtwohill had lost only after extra-time was played so they we hoping for better luck this time out – but it was not to be.
It was the visitors who started the match with the upper hand and Carrigtwohill took the lead after 5 minutes when Anesh Swani continued his goal scoring streak by weaving past two defenders to finish past the on-rushing goalkeeper. Rob Adam, playing in midfield was instrumental in controlling the midfield play but he received a bad knock after 15 minutes and had to come off. Carrigtwohill were missing several other players on the night and this was yet another blow to their hopes – as for the rest of the match, they were unable to control the match like they had for the first 15 minutes. It was now Carrigaline who were on the front foot and they scored two goals – one a very unlucky deflected own goal – to put themselves in a good position. However, just before the half-time whistle was blown, Carrigtwohill levelled with a goal bundled in from a corner..
The second half was frantic. It was a typical Cup tie. The re-arranged Carrigtwohill team were playing a more direct style than normal and pushing forward for the win but they were cruelly exposed by the pacey Carrigaline winger who caught them on the break – firstly scoring himself and then providing the assist for the 4th goal.
Not for the first time this season, Anesh came to the rescue. Despite playing with a bruised ankle from a first half tackle, he scored a superb long range shot from the corner of the penalty box to bring Carrigtwohill back into the match at 4-3. 10 minutes left and a goal was needed. It was all hands to the deck as Sean DeBurca moved into midfield to leave just 3 defenders and it was all Carrigtwohill at this stage with a succession of corners, frees and attacks but still the break-through would not come. The decisive chance came with just 5 minutes left when after some clever inter-play, Bartek, playing up front found himself in on the goalkeeper and his shot struck the post and rebounded back to the defender who cleared under pressure.
Such fine margins but it was not to be on the night. A superb effort all round and the players can be proud of their effort on the night.
Player of the Match; Anesh Swani