In the 7pm kick-offs, one pitch had lots of goals and the other had very few. Delta-Bluestreak got off to fast start with both sides attacking. Delta's Check looked dangerous in the first half and the first clear cut chance of the game came in the 8th minute. Check was released down the right and after cutting inside, curled a shot towards the far post forcing a diving save out of Bluestreak keeper Gerry. The first goal of the game came in the 20th minute when the back peddling Bluestreak couldn't get a clean hold of the ball and Check knocked the ball in from 1 yard out. In the very next phase of play, Bluestreak went back up the other end and brought the game back to 1-1. In the 27th minute, Bluestreak were on the scoresheet again. An aerial ball into the box was knocked down and Tomas was on hand to apply the finish into the bottom corner. On the stroke of half time, Delta scored with a right footed curler from the edge of the box (video below).
Meanwhile on pitch two, Cutters and Lightning was a tight affair, which has become a familiar theme in this fixture. Few clear cut chances for either side saw them come in 0-0 at the break. On pitch one, the goals kept coming and Delta scored again in the 43rd minute. The ball broke in midfield to the right hand side of the box and a good finish was applied. Bluestreak were back in the game in the 52nd minute when a cross from the right found Tomas who dispatched the ball into the net. Bluestreak were pushing for the equaliser and good pressure from James Hayes in the 57th minute saw Bluestreak turn the ball over in the Delta final third. In possession of the ball by the byline at a tight angle, Hayes manged to lift a cross over the Delta defenders to find Callum. Unfortunately for Bluestreak, there just weren't enough bodies in the box and Callum's header back across goal was cleared by the Delta defenders. Final score finished Delta 4-3 Bluestreak.
On pitch two, Cutters and Lightning looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw. A Cutters free kick came close after hitting the cross bar and rebounding off the Lightning keeper. Lucky for Lightning, the rebound fell the other side of the post (video below).
As the minutes ticked on, it looked like there'd be nothing to separate the sides. In the 55th minute, a Lightning free kick from out wide was delivered into the box and forced home. Lightning have proved to be a bogey team for Cutters and the Clare contingent will again feel hard done by to leave this one without any points. Cutters 0-1 Lightning the final score.
Play was halted seconds into Delta Utd vs Kearney's Army. A bad ankle injury to Kearney's player-manager Damien Walsh saw the ambulance called. The match was suspended and will hopefully be replayed at a later date. Best wishes to Damien and we all hope for a speedy recovery.
With much of the attention on pitch two, Boca and Wembledines played out their top of the table clash on pitch one. Despite a couple of stoppages in play to allow the ambulance to pass, Dines went about their business diligently. Both teams came into the game unbeaten but only Wembledines would leave with that record intact. A goal by Aaron Joyce assisted by Rob Doyle gave Dines the lead. For Wembledines' second, Doyle stepped up to the penalty spot to put the ball past the Boca keeper. One goal in reply from Boca was not enough and the final score finished 2-1.