ARRANMOREÂ UNITED, MILFORD UNITED RESERVES and Castlefin Celtic Reserves had big wins in the Saturday Leagues yesterday. Here’s a roundup of all the action.
Old Orchard Saturday Division
Drumbar FC 1 Arranmore United 5
DRUMBAR started the brighter of the two teams having a shot rebound off the post from Ciaran Nixon. Arranmore took the lead through an excellent piece of football, a cross from the right winger from the half way line landed on the toe of Gavin McGlanaghey who finished well.
Arranmore built from here with McGlanaghey causing plenty of trouble for the Drumbar defence and he duly added another two goals.
Ray Balogun gave the home side some hope before half time with a great touch, turn and finish from the edge of the box. The second half started much the same with Drumbar dominating but once again Arranmore scored a fourth to kill the game off. McGlanaghey added a fourth for himself and a fifth for Arranmore late on.
Mulroy Celtic 3 Drumkeen United 5
(No Report Submitted)
Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 0 Donegal Town Reserves 0
GREAT playing conditions at the Lakeside made for some entertaining football in this local derby, and as a derby should be, no team was giving and inch.
The home side had the better of the chances with some well timed tackles preventing Wanderers taking a lead into the break.
An injury to Niall McKee forced Wanderers to make a change at half time with Micky Gahan taking to the pitch.
The second half started well for Erne who continued to create chances but couldn’t find the net with Stephen McLaughlin hitting the crossbar and Cian Dolan having an effort from 30 yards tapped over by the ‘keeper.
Erne were solid at the back throughout the game and earned their first clean sheet of the season.
St. Catherines Reserves 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves 1
ST CATHERINES hosted Keadue Rovers in Emerald on a perfect day for football. Keadue started brightest and put a youthful St. Catherines under pressure.
The Saints defence held out until the 25th minute when Corey Gallagher headed home from a corner.
Brandon McBrearty and Daniel O’Keeney both had chances to put St Catherine’s level before half time but they were off target with their shots.
St. Catherines started strongest in the second half and were back on level terms in the 60th minute when Donal McGuire tapped home after a defensive error. Both teams had chances to win the match but couldn’t find a winner.
Milford United Reserves 7 Curragh Athletic Reserves 0
MILFORD got their first win of the season after a fine performance in a game they dominated from start to finish.
Milford took the lead in the 20th minute with JJ Fleming tapping in after good work from Lee Burke.
The second came from the penalty spot, Brendan Murray smashing home to make it 2-0 at halftime.
It was 3-0 in the 50th minute after JJ Fleming broke the offside trap to round the keeper and tap in again.
He then completed his hat-trick, heading home at the back post impressively. Lee Burke made it 5-0 finishing off a fine cross from Brendan Murray.
He returned the favour with Murray heading home a Burke cross.
Jamie Whelan finished the scoring in the 85th minute, drilling home from the edge of the box to round off a good day for Milford.
Drumoghill FC Reserves 2 Glenree United Reserves 0
DRUMOGHIILL came out on top in this one but it wasn’t until the hour mark before this game came to life when Drumoghill finally found a way past a solid Glenree defence.
Richard Tinney won possession in the middle and, after a quick one-two with Kevin Higgins, played Mark Gibson through on goal and the big striker made no mistake chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
Goal number two arrived ten minutes later when Gibson turned provider, he slotted a ball in behind the defence for John O’ Kane to run on to and fire high into the top corner.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 1 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 5
CASTLEFIN took the lead in the fifth minute when Matthew O’Rourke finished well.
Castlefin made it 2-0 when Mathew O’Rourke scored from inside the box. Cappry came back into the game and could have had a penalty when one of the Castlefin defenders seemed to handle the ball inside the box.
Cappry went close to getting a goal back when James Long played Conor Laverty through, he brought a fine save from the keeper.
Cappry did get a goal back when Conor Laverty finished well from the edge of the box. Castlefin made it 3-1 when Matthew O’Rourke scored with a fine free kick from 25 yards.
O’Rourke got his fourth in the 72nd minute with another smart finish. Conor Dalton added a fifth for the away side in the 83rd minute with a great run and finish.
