UNDER 12 DEVT LEAGUE: STRAND CELTIC GREENS 2 MANNOR RANGERS 3
Strandhill Community Park
A glorious autumn morning greeted the players as they ran from the dressing rooms to the pitch.
The Strand team lacked two of their main players, Namely Arron O Boyle, and Liam Mc Elhinney. But credit to the Strand lads they were eager to play, and so too was Manor Rangers. Manor Rangers won the toss and elected to play with the breeze. It was expected that Strand Celtic would start slow, in part due to the 3-week gap since their last game, coupled with the fact they were playing into the breeze. But what nobody expected was an early goal by manor.
Manor was awarded a corner when Harry Collins correctly opted to put the ball out of play and take the sting out of a Manor attack. The resulting corner was expertly delivered to the penalty spot and an in rushing Manor forward volleyed the ball into the top right hand corner. The quality of this goal would easily win any goal of the month competition.
Shortly after Manors goal another major player, centre back Harry Collins had to be substituted by Joe Gorman when an old injury caused pain. Joe rose to the occasion and turned in a towering performance. Strand should have equalised when Oisin Cogans goal bound shot was spectacularly cleared two yards from an open goal by a fellow team mate who`s intended effort at a back header went astray.
A few minutes later fellow Brother Fiachra Cogan`s shot produced a great save by Manor Rangers keeper. Eugene Carter and Steven Knowles also came close. In the closing stages of the second half Manor were awarded a penalty for a handball. Manor made no mistake from the spot.
Strand now faced into the second half with a breeze blowing across the field and the task of overcoming a 2 goal deficit. Strands traditionally strong wing play struggled to get going despite a huge effort by all Strands players. A real hard slog by both teams to create goal chances summarises the second half.
Finally a good run and strike from Donnacha Gilligan got Strand on the score sheet. However, the joy of this strike was short lived as Strand was punished for a series of unforced errors which resulted in a que of unmarked manor players racing goal ward to score against the best efforts of Oisin Conway.
Strand responded well and got their reward when Fiachra Cogan capped an outstanding display of stamina and skill with a great individual goal.
In the closing stages of the game Mark Ryan, Donnacha Gilligan and Stephen Knowles goal efforts came close. A very dejected bunch of Strand lads left the field of play. But no doubt a very enthusiastic bunch of lads will return.
THE LADS WISH HARRY COLLINS, FERGUS COLLINS AND ARRON O BOYLE A SPEEDY RECOVERY. |