Feature Game - Leinster Leader

Leinster Power Flushing Premier Division

Caragh Celtic FC 1 Ballycane Celtic FC 0

On a glorious morning for football, Ballycane Celtic made the short trip this morning to play Caragh Celtic, the home side in search of their first win of the season and they started the better with the early pressure stopping Ballycane getting out of their own half in the first ten minutes, a great save by the visiting keeper Finbar Furey who’s one handed save, from a Daragh Mulligan snap shot, pushing the ball wide of the upright, Ballycane Celtic endured some early pressure from the home side,  defending five corner kicks in a row. The visitors settled into the game after the early pressure from Caragh Celtic and soon got on top creating the best goal scoring chances when Baz Barron played the ball up the right hand side to Ian Cox who turned the Caragh centre back to get a shot on goal only for the home keeper to tip over the crossbar. From the resulting corner kick taken by Keelan Noone who floated a ball in for Ian Cox to rise above everyone only to see his headed effort just go wide. Ballycane soon had another great chance to take the lead when Thiago Alves played a great ball out wide to Conor Norton who crossed first time to Ian Cox only for the Caragh Celtic goalkeeper to punch out by colliding with Cox to leave his goal open and Ballycane Celtic were first to the ball only to see Conor Norton’s effort hit the upright.  Half time was soon approaching and Ballycane Celtic missed another great opportunity on two occasions to go 1-0 ahead when Jake Sheehan had two great chances in quick succession only for both shots on goal to just narrowly go wide of the post.

The second half commenced with Caragh on top led by Captain Billy Martin from the back dictating the pace. Caragh put the pressure on and got numerous corners with Eoghan Merriman’s deliveries on top form. Caragh were unlucky not to break the dead lock Shane Taffe coming close. The game was stalemate halfway through the second half managers Thomas Dean's and Stephen Stout looked to their bench to change things up calling upon versatile veteran Danny Brady coming on up front and this changed the match. Ballycane Celtic were hoping to pick up from the strong finish to the  first half and should of taken the lead when Kevin Higgins  played the ball out wide to Baz Barron who put the ball down the line to Ian Cox who crossed for Conor Norton who managed to take a good touch in the box to set himself up only to see his shot well saved by the home keeper, Norton had another great chance with only the keeper to beat but unfortunately pulled his effort wide. The visitors were well on top at this stage, creating all the chance but unfortunately the game changed when their goalkeeper picked up an injury and had to go off and with no back up, Kevin Higgins went in goals for the last thirteen minutes which upset the flow of the game with Ballycane having to move players around to readjust after been on top for so long, with Higgins gone from centre back Caragh Celtic started playing the ball over the top every chance they got and it paid off after a long ball was missed controlled by Gary Hunt. Caragh substitute Danny Brady’s constant running in behind caused the Ballycane defence all sorts of problems and with twenty minutes to go he got in and calmly finish past Higgins to give Caragh the lead. Caragh then had their backs against the wall for the remainder of the game as Ballycane threw everything at them going forward. However the home side held out for a slender victory.  Best for Caragh Billy Martin at the back goalkeeper Barry Cassidy and super sub Danny Brady. 

Ballycane Celtic will take positives from today’s game although the result wasn’t the one they wanted. The chances they created from good open play is something to build on, up next for them is Kildare Town away this Wednesday for a 7.15pm kick off.