League v Corinthian Boys A in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 15th October 2017
Carrigtwohill United 3 Corinthian Boys A 3
Scorers: Rob Adam, Alex Canty, Darragh Hoare
After a great win the previous weekend in the National Cup, the squad faced a tough task with Corinthian Boys visiting Ballyadam on a damp drizzly Sunday morning.
It rained just before the match and just never let up making the pitch heavy and the going tough for both sets of players. Carrigtwohill started this match well and dominated the opening exchanges. James O’Shaugnessy, operating on the right wing, was a constant source of threat and put in several good crosses. Corinthians were playing a clever game on the break and the quick No.9 was very dangerous. However, it was Carrigtwohill who would open the scoring with another clever finish by Robert Adam. The keeper came out to clear the ball despite the presence of two other defenders. However Rob managed to nick the ball from the three players and lob the ball over them into the net. This was to be a ding dong match and the lead did not last long when Corinthians were awarded a penalty for an unlucky handball in the area. The Home team kept pressing and went ahead again just before half-time. A beautifully struck corner was won in the air by Darragh Crowley but was cleared off the line only for Alex Canty to pounce for his second goal in the last two matches.
The second half was a different story – and in some respects the tables were turned as Corinthians, needing to score, pushed forward. The Carrigtwohill back four – Ebe Imoh, Sean deBurca, Darragh Crowley and Daire Sullivan – were playing very well and despite the pressure they were facing managed to cough up very few clear cut chances. However, as it so often the case, if you keep pushing, chances will come and after a break through midfield Corinthians played some clever passing football to work a chance in the penalty area and equalise the scoreboard. So, 2-2 and 15 minutes to play – and the heavy pitch was now taking a heavy toll on the players – Carrigtwohill showed their determination. With Anesh Swani now on the right wing, he floated in a superb cross which found Darragh Hoare on the edge of the penalty box who steered the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
With the score 3-2 and the finishing post now in sight, the lads needed to close out the match but every credit must go to Corinthians for not lying down. They continued to press and got their reward. A long distance shot which looked to be going well over the bar glanced in off the crossbar to equalise the score for the third time. This was an entertaining 3-3 draw which Carrigtwohill can take great satisfaction from, however it was Corinthians who were the happier team at the end. The home side frustrated after a superb performance will look to build this performance over the coming weeks.
Player of the Match; Darragh Hoare