Division 2 Turned Upside Down

Footy Report Thursday 7^th March

Div 2 Thursdays

This division was turned completely upside down as the top 2 teams were beaten by the bottom 2 teams. The Chancers, who fielded their strongest team yet this season, won only their 2nd game of the season beating the Dragons 5-3. They were 4-1 up at the break thanks to goals from Adam Clinton, Gavin O Driscoll, Rob Meade, and Joe Harte and were well deserving of this lead as they were by far the better team in the first half. However the 2nd period was a different story as the Dragons really put on the pressure and were rewarded with 2 goals from Shaun Jordan that got them back in with a chance. But thanks to some excellent defending by Jason O Connell the Chancers held on before Joe Allen sealed the points for them with his sides 5th goal. 

The Net Busters also lost out to Apple Exiles who have struggled so far this season to keep a consistent panel of players, but they were inspired by Jarrin Koopman who scored a very impressive 5 goals in a 7-5 win. The tall Dutchman, Koopman put in a masterclass display in midfield for Apple. Paul Sexton was again leading the line for the Net Busters and scored a hatrick. The Busters put the Exiles under pressure for the last 10 minutes but Apple held on for an excellent victory, and if they could keep this team together could upset any team in this division. Ronan Geary (2) Jermey Dulea and Willie Magnier also did very well for Apple.

The Mount Oval Bar and O'Higgins FC looked like playing out the first 0-0 draw in 3 years at Footy, but up stepped Shane Power to score after a scrappy goal mouth scramble in the dying seconds to secure 3 very valuable points for O'Higgins. These 3 points puts them within striking distance of the Dragons and Net Busters and opens up this league again. Defences were on top but neither side got a grip on this game, with the Oval having most of the possession, but both sides lacked a decent final pass that led to this games lack of goals.

Div 1 Thursday

Drink Team and Ezy FC stay in pole position in this league that is now a 2 horse race between these 2 sides. Ezy had a comprehensive victory over Far From Athletic. Brian Lyons was in brilliant form once again for EZY, and is a class player. He scored 5 times for his side who had Dave Johnson at centre forward holding the ball up very well for and pulling all the strings. Andrew Daunt was also in fine form fo EZY. Drink Team picked up a 5-0 walkover against the All Blacks to stay 3 points adrift.

Kitteringham FC and OS Naventeges played out a cracking game that finished 5-4 to KFC. Os Naventages were 4-1 down at the break but played all the football in an exciting 2nd half and brought it back on level terms only to lose to a Dave O Brien late winner for KFC. Dean Dunlea was KFC's star man and was on the mark 3 times.

In 3rd v 4th the Booze Crew also came up a goal short against Oxford Intl losing 3-2. The Crew from Cobh were 2 nil up and were looking impressive but Oxford re organised and showed their battling qualities and fought their way back into the game. This was also a tough game with 2 fully commitited teams. Again Joe Kinsella was Oxfords main man and scored twice who also had Colin Hawes on the scoresheet.

Div 3 Thursday

Top of the table clash between the Sons of Pitches and the JT Specials did not disappoint on entertainment value as the Specials came out on top 4-2. Eoin Barrett scored 2 excellent and almost identical goals for the Pitches when he drove a low right foot shot from out on the wing to put them 2-1 and in the driving seat. But JT's settled down and got back into the game playing some good football. Rob Carpenter and Dan Hegarty again were best for the Specials and scored a brace a piece. Murt O Connor was very steady at the back for the Specials and made some crucial blocks in the early part of the game when the Sons of Pitches were the better team. This excellent win should give JT's the confidence to close out their first title after playing many years in Footy. But the Pitches and the Flying Column will push them all the way.

The Column were too strong for Men Utd and beat them 5-0 in a one sided affair. Ciaran McArtan was best for the Column scoring 4 times while Alan Mullery was also excellent for the Column who showed more urgency on the night.

Billy Stewart put in a great performance for the Whitfords as the beat Balaga Tongo 4-3, by scoring all of his sides 4 goals in a very tight game. A tremendous volley from 15 yards by Stewart was the highlight of this game with his side just about deserving of the 3 points