League v Wilton United in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 22nd April 2018
Carrigtwohill United 1 Wilton United 3
Scorer: Anesh Swani
It was Wilton United who were the visitors on a lovely spring Sunday morning to Ballyadam. Wilton are having a very good season, sitting second in the table and kicking off with the stiff breeze.
The Carrigtwohill side contained several changes in key positions and this contributed to a very shaky start. The home side were unable to maintain control of the ball, losing possession and unable to play the passing soccer that they can. It was only going to be a matter of time before they conceded. Sure enough after a mix-up in defence the ball found an unmarked Wilton winger who was able to float a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net.
Shortly afterwards, Wilton repeated the dose – this time the Carrigtwohill back four had been sucked across towards the play. Wilton managed to find an unmarked player on the opposite side of the penalty box and his shot was deflected into the net. So two goals down after 18 minutes – a tough lesson. To their credit, Carrigtwohill did pick up their game at this point. Rob Adam went close and the home side won several corners which they threatened from. Half-time was an opportunity to re-assess and as they have done before the lads went out a different team in the second half and really gave it their all.
Wilton are a physically strong side with good ball players, so Carrigtwohill looked to take the ball wide and play it fast in order to create chances. Rob Adam in midfield, Niall Harte on the right wing and Anesh on the left were playing superbly now. Ronan and Sean deBurca at the back were dominating and all the play was now pushed into the Wilton end. The breakthrough came when after good work in midfield, Anesh received a clever pass on the edge of the box, turned his man and calmly finished ahead of the onrushing keeper – continuing his goal scoring streak.
This side had turned around a 2 goal half-time deficit earlier in the season, so the belief was there and the home side pushed on and created several good chances – particularly from the boot of Rob Adam – however, it was not to be today. Rob lashed a 30 yard free against the post, which rebounded, hit the keeper and agonsingly bobbled wide. Then a mazy run by Niall into the penalty box brought a diving save from the keeper. Rob made yet another powerful run into the penalty box, took the ball almost to the line and took a shot which rattled the crossbar and bounced safe. The pressure was mounting on Wilton who were hanging on at 2-1 and with just 10 minutes left to play, Carrigtwohill were awarded yet another free. Rob stepped up with a lovely chip over the wall, but somehow the keeper got to it underneath the crossbar, spilled it and somehow got to it on the goal line before it crossed over. From his kick-out the match was over – as the quick break caught the home side on the right wing. The winger smashed a lovely finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
It was an entertaining match and Carrigtwohill acquitted themselves very well but not for the first time this season, they were clinically punished for relatively simple mistakes.
Player of the Match; Rob Adam