Kearney's Army 1-2 Alfies Heroes
The Army faced the Heroes in wet conditions on Friday night, A light but constant rain fell in the first half as both teams performed well. Robbie Carey looked dangerous up front for Kearney's going close in the 15th minute taking a left footed shot across the face of goal that ended up going just wide of the the top right corner. In the 23rd minute, high pressure from Alfies turned the ball and a resulting low right footed shot forced the Kearney's into action to prevent the ball from nestling in the bottom corner. The deadlock was broken a few minutes from half time. A free kick from about 10 yards inside the Alfies half was launched into the box. Brian rose highest to get his head to the ball and convert the chance. 1-0 Kearneys at the break. The second half was a back and forth affair. Alfies were pushing on for the equaliser, but this often left 1v1 or 2v2 in their own half. Kearneys stayed patient and took advantage of the breaks when they came. The second half remained scoreless until the 57th minute. An exquisite postage stamp free kick from 25 yards put Alfies back in the game. Alfies kept the pedal to the floor after this and a foray into the Kearney's box saw the Alfies' striker taken down and a penalty awarded. With virtually the last kick of the game, Alfies converted the penalty (video below) to take all three points.
Delta United FC 0-1 Team Lightning
The 8pm kick off saw another tight game decided by a solitary goal. In the 18th minute, a cross from the right was met by a front post header which knocked the ball over the keeper. The ball fell to Wobbler about a centimetre out from goal who got the all important to touch to put Lightning one ahead. Lightning really should have made it two in the 25th. minute when a gilt edged chance went begging. A squared ball found the Lightning forward ten yards out from goal but the shot was dragged wide. Coming out for the second half, Delta Utd had more possession with Lightning content to sit deep. Despite plenty of play in the Lightning half, Delta Utd struggled to convert possession into clear cut chances. In the 45th minute, a loose ball was picked up by Wobbler who fed Phil just outside the box. A right footed strike across his body saw the ball crash off the upright. In the 55th minute, 20 yards out, Oussa hit a stinger of a shot. Either side of the goalkeeper would've likely resulted in a goal, but fortunately for Lightning, the shot was fairly straight and goalkeeper Mark Carey was able to deal with it. In the 57th minute, a dribble into the box from Jason was followed by a shot towards the front post. The Delta Utd keeper got down smartly to smother the ball and keep Delta Utd in the game. Pressing on and delivering balls into the box, that golden opportunity kept alluding Delta Utd and the match finished Lightning 1-0 Delta Utd.