USL Results & Reports 14.07.13
Results
4 Lanterns USL
Bonagee Utd. 2 1 Fanad Utd.
Finn Harps Res. 1 2 Letterkenny Rovers
Kildrum Tigers 1 2 Cockhill Celtic
Drumkeen Utd. 4 3 Swilly Rovers
DPD Division 1
Swilly Rovers Res. 5 2 Bonagee Utd. Res.
Letterkenny Rovers Res. 2 0 Drumkeen Utd. Res.
Reports
Cockhill Claim Win in St. Johnston
Kildrum Tigers 1
Cockhill Celtic 2
JAMES Bradley stepped off the bench to score a priceless winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time against Kildrum Tigers at St Johnston. Bradley had only just come onto the field and, when Christy McLaughlin prodded into the box after Gerry Gill’s corner had over-run, Bradley kept his cool to steer home what could be a defining goal in this USL title race.
The League leaders had got the perfect start when Gerard McLaughlin headed home the opener in the second minute. Malachy McDermott and Derek Doherty both tried their luck, but to no avail, while a good passage down Kildrum’s left channel between Dean Bonner, Sean Ferry and Darren Cassidy ended with the latter’s low cross being cleared.
Garbhan Friel was just put off his stride by teenage ‘keeper Michael Lynch, leaving his 27th minute lob falling just wide, before Mark Moran’s powerful drive nestled in the arms of the Tigers stopper. Kildrum had suffered a first League defeat of the season at home to Drumkeen on Wednesday night but they were determined to get back on track here. Their attack sometimes lacked a penetrative edge, Barry O’Donnell’s low effort not troubling Gavin Cullen and Cassidy firing well wide. Ronan Coyle flashed a header just wide, before Friel stabbed a header inches away after being caught by surprise by a rebound. Lynch did well to hold a power-packed effort from McDermott and a minute later, with the game just entering its final ten minutes, Kildrum drew level when Cassidy superbly drilled home. When Liam O’Donnell cracked a volley off the post, it looked like a share of the spoils – only for sub Bradley to tear up the script.
Drumkeen Keep Pressure on Leaders
Drumkeen Utd. 4
Swilly Rovers 3
The game kicked off at 4 o’clock in Drumkeen, the conditions were very hot and made running difficult for players. The home side started strongly when David Craig took it down the flank passed the ball to Gary Patton who squared it to Richie Moore, Moore then fired into the bottom of the net to open the scoring on three minutes. Conor Carlin pushed to get a second after twelve minutes but was dispossessed by Dylan Hegarty. Swilly Rovers responded to the goal nine minutes later when a cross that was partially cleared fell to Jordan Toland who struck low into the bottom right corner from twenty yards. Before Drumkeen could recover from the blow of the equalizer Swilly attacked and won a penalty after Declan Curtis was brought down by Paul Given in the Drumkeen goal. Declan’s younger brother Ronan stepped up to put the ball in the back of the net to put the visitors ahead fourteen minutes into the game. Both teams pushed for goals with Blaine Curtis getting the best of these chances when he fired a shot over the bar after a mistake by Seamie Coshia Friel at the heart of the Drumkeen defence. David Craig was forced off after twenty minutes to be replaced by David Shovlin. Drumkeen earned a free from around twenty-five yards which was cleverly put away quickly by Mark Marley. The closing stages of the first half was evenly fought with the teams going in level at half time.
The second didn’t take long to spring to life with bookings going to both teams Keith Hegarty receiving one as well as Gary Patton and both Seamie Friels. Ronan Curtis and his brother Blaine teamed up to put Swilly ahead on fifty seven minutes. On Sixty-six minutes Keith Hegarty received a second yellow and was sent off by referee Stephen Toner. Drumkeen got the second penalty of the game after seventy minutes, this was taken by Seamie Friel but the first effort was saved however Conor Carlin was on hand to fire the rebound into the back of the net. Carlin was causing trouble again when his effort was saved by Gareth Wade Gavin Reilly put the rebound into the bottom corner after 75 minutes. The closing stages were exciting with both teams coming close, but the main talking point was Coshia’s second yellow and the resulting sending off.
Rovers Up To Third
Finn Harps Res. 1
Letterkenny Rovers 2
Darren McElwaine was the Letterkenny Rovers hero as the men from the cathedral town came away with all three points from a sun drenched Finn Park on Sunday. Rovershad the best opportunities early in the game , first Oisin McMenamin hitting the side netting after just three minutes and Kieran Gorman firing over after Lee Toland had cleared off the line for Harps. The home side responded well, Forker playing a neat slide rule pass to McVeigh who shot wide and McVeigh again came close when he headed a Ward cross just over on 20 minutes. The sweltering conditions were not ideal for a pressing game , Harps endeavouring to keep possession , while Rovers held a good shape springing counter attacks with the always effective McElwaine as the focal point. Indeed it was McElwaine who broke the deadlock shortly after the half hour mark . Former Harps legend Johnathan Minnock’s beautifully struck corner was headed powerfully home by the Rovers no. 9.
Rovers went on to create two more good chances before the break, O’Donnell and McMacken both with good efforts. Harps approached the second half on the front foot and got their reward a couple of minutes after the restart. McCarron attacking from the right hand side, was expected to square the ball across ,but instead twisted and turned, before finishing with precision. The home side continued to pass the ball with aplomb but might have been guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net at times. McVeigh and McLaughlin both had opportunities, but the experienced Rovers centre backs Gorman and Kelly held the line admirably. Harps had elected to play with three at the back and Rovers continued to prove a threat going forward. McMenamin and McMacken had chances from inside the box while Harkin and McCarron both passed up gilt edged chances for the home side. Referee Tommy McAree deserves credit for allowing both sets of players to take on water as the temperature continued to rise during the 90 minutes. It was that man McElwaine who got the decisive winner. Harps dithered in defence, and the Rovers no 9 poked home to the delight of the visiting support. Indeed “Macca” could have secured a hat-trick but his header was brilliantly saved by Danny Rodgers, making his debut in the Harps Goals. But his Lee Toland , also making his debut for Harps had a great opportunity for a late equaliser, but his curling free going just over Jason Quinn’s crossbar.
Harps Reserves . Rodgers, Toland, Lonergan, Sheilds, McLaughlin, Ward, Forker, Harkin, Coluane, McVeigh, McCarron. Subs McDaid, O’Donnell, Barcaly.
Letterkenny Rovers: Quinn, Doherty, Minnock, Kelly, Gorman, Gallagher, McMacken, Neeson, McElwaine, McMenamin, O’Donnell. Sub: O’Rourke
DPD Div. 1
Swilly Rovers Res. 5
Bonagee Utd. Res. 2
An entertaining encounter at Swilly Park served up seven goals as the Ramelton men came out on top. Swilly were three one up at the break courtesy of a fine hat-track by Kyle Black with Seamus Browne responding for the visitors. The Swilly striker proved a real handful and surely staked a claim for a first team return. The second half was to take the same pattern as Laurence Toland scored the goal of the game with a fine strike from twenty five yards to extend the lead. Bonagee youngster Sam Murphy reduced the deficit with a fine solo effort but Daniel O’Donnell marked a fine performance at midfield with a deflected strike from thirty yards to round off a good victory for the home side.
McGrath Double for Rovers
Letterkenny Rovers Res 2
Drumkeen United Res 0
Letterkenny Rovers got back to winning ways in the Ulster Senior League First Division with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Drumkeen United at a sun-kissed Leckview Park on Saturday afternoon. A goal in each from influential midfielder Kevin McGrath gave Rovers all three points as they reached the half way stage of their league season. The home side dominated proceedings early on with the lively Marty Vance and Ryan McCloskey both testing the goalkeeper Michael Gibson. The opening goal arrived on 22 minutes when right winger Kevin Doran slipped the ball in field to Kevin McGrath and from the edge of the box he unleashed a superb left foot drive which flew in past Gibson. At the other end Lee McMonagle had the best opportunity for the visitors following a good move but his shot on target was well charged down by Anthony Doherty – who along with Gareth Doherty were solid at the back. McGrath sealed the victory with his second goal of the game on 70 minutes. On this occasion McCloskey’s defence splitting pass found McGrath charging through inside the box and side stepped Gibson before tapping the ball home from an acute angle. Next up for Garret McDaid’s young team is a trip to table toppers Kildrum Tigers on Saturday. Referee – Tommy McAree
Fixtures
4 Lanterns USL
Wednesday, July 17th at 7:30pm
Derry City Res. v Finn Harps Res. Ref. V. McLaughlin
Thursday, July 18th at 7:30pm
Swilly Rovers v Kildrum Tigers Ref. W. Harvey
Fanad Utd. v Drumkeen Utd. Ref. P. Coll
Sunday, July 21st at 2pm
Letterkenny Rovers v Bonagee Utd. Ref. S. Toner
DPD Div. 1 Fixtures
Saturday, July 20th
Kildrum Tigers Res. v Letterkenny Rovers Res. (1pm) Ref. T. McAree
Drumkeen Utd. Res. v Bonagee Utd. Res. (2pm) Ref. C. McLaughin