Analog 2-1 Cutters
Cutters came into their third game of the season with the
best defensive record in the league conceding just one goal in their opening two
games. Analog also came into the game on good form having won their opening two
matches in close encounters vs Team Lightning and The Lakers. The opening quarter
was nip and tuck with both teams having decent spells in possession. Analog came
close 15 minutes in when a ball into their centre forward was set for a midfielder
at the edge of the box who put his attempt just over the bar. Two minutes later,
Cutters also had a shot that went just over – a header after a good ball in
from the left-hand side. A series of unfortunate events for Cutters resulted in
the opening goal of the match. A shot rebounded off the post and came back into
play and as the stranded keeper looked on, the ball bobbled across the line to
make it 1-0 Analog. Cutters responded well and went close themselves a couple
of minutes later. A good ball in from the right was met with excellent control and
forced an equally excellent save out of the Analog goalkeeper. Analog got a
second 5 minutes after the restart. A cross-cum-shot from the right fell to a
player on the far side of the box whose shot found the back of the net. Cutters
nearly got a stroke of good fortune themselves but Analog’s keeper just about
recovered after letting a ball slip through his hands. Cutters started laying
siege to the Analog goal and came close again the 46th minute when a
good control and turn at the edge of the box resulted in a shot that went just
over. Cutters best chance of the half came with a shot inside the Analog box. A
suspicion of hand ball was waved play on by the ref and Analog maintained their
lead. Cutter finally got their goal but it was a case of too little too late as
Analog ran out 2-1 winners.
Bluestreak FC 2 – 7 Delta
Delta made it three wins from three after victory over
Bluestreak FC. Delta started brighter after going close 8 minutes in when a low
cross from John O’Sullivan flashed across the face of goal but was hit narrowly
wide. Delta opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a cross to
the edge of the box from the left hand side was slotted home. 8 minutes later,
the Bluestreak keeper prevented Delta from doubling their lead after a good
save one-on-one. The ball couldn’t be cleared from the resulting corner however
and Delta snatched a second. Delta grabbed a crucial third just before half
time after converting a penalty. Bluestreak came out strong in the second half
and Dara Shanahan gave his team a lifeline after finishing an opportunity at
the back post. Delta kept their concentration and killed the game off in the 45th
minute with a good finish from a tight angle. Despite a second goal from 2015
McCarthy Cup Player of the Tournament Dara Shanahan, Delta added 3 more to complete
a well earned 7-2 victory and keep them at the top of the table.
Delta Rejects FC 1-2 Team Lightning
Delta Rejects and Team Lightning both came into this game
looking to open their accounts for the season. Delta Rejects registered the
first shot of the game in the 6th minute, but the attempt went just
wide. A few minutes later, a Lightning corner fell kindly but the resultant
volley went over the bar. In the 24th minute, Lightning went 1-0 up
when a ball in from the right was knocked in from close range by Tommy Guinan.
Delta Rejects responded immediately when good play down the right resulted in a
cross that was contested by both teams. The ball fell to Delta’s Kyle Keogh O’Connor
who smashed it home. Lightning nearly restored their lead in the 40th
minute after a well worked give and go, but the Delta Rejects keeper managed to
save the shot. Not long later, Lightning did indeed restore their lead after a
header from Philip Maher fell to Mark Carey who scored. Lightning nearly added
to their lead 5 minutes from time, but an excellent double save from the Delta Rejects
keeper – first getting a strong hand to a shot from outside then box and then
parrying the follow up attempt – kept Lightning out. Lightning managed to see the rest of the game
out and collected their first 3 points of the campaign.
Boca Seniors 0-2 Wembeldines
Two teams with 100% records battled it out in this keenly fought
contest. A competitive first half saw both teams exchange chances with a Boca
shot in the 15th minute going just over. Wembeldines registered a
shot on target a minute later, but the Boca keeper was equal to the attempt. Despite
having less of the ball, Boca used it well when they did have it and sent a low
cross into the box in the 19th minute that went narrowly wide. On
the stroke of half time, Wembeldines sent a brilliant ball in from the right
hand side. Both striker and defender were forcing towards the goal and after the
Dines striker failed to make contact with the cross, the ball hit off the
hapless Boca defender and into the goal to give Wembeldines a 1-0 half time
lead. Like the first half, the second half ended up being a competitive affair.
Boca’s best chance came in the 40th minute when a Wembeldines
defender was dispossessed but the Boca striker couldn’t score from the
resulting 1-on-1. 10 minutes later, a great strike from the edge of the box
produced a fine save from the Wembeldines keeper. Boca pushed for an equaliser
but it wasn’t meant to be. Jonathan Croucher notched a second for Wembeldines
at the death to secure all three points and to maintain their 100% record.