Column Back in the Hunt

^{Thursday Division 3}

^{The Flying Column are back in the title race after a fine win over the Sons Of Pitches. The column who were missing their best player in Ciaren McAtran pulled out their best display of the season beating the Pitches 4-2. Alan Mullery worked tirelessly in midfield for the Column but their hero on the night was French man Fabrice Fortune. With the score 0-0 at halftime, the Column knew they had to go for all 3 points with games running out and were rewarded with a great headed goal from Fortune. He went on to score 2 more in quick succession. William O'Brien and an own goal got the battling Pitches back into the game but Conor O'Mahony sealed the 3 points with his sides 4th. The Column are now just a point off the leaders, the JT Specials who lost to Whitfords and so they should look forward with confidence when they play them next week. Whitfords also had their best display of the season when they toppled the Specials 3-0. Billy Stewart scored twice and James Hamilton once in a game where the Specials never got into their stride. Stewart's 2nd goal was a wonderful solo effort and the highlight of this game. MenUtd narrowly beat Balaga Tonga 4-3 on Thursday and then did likewise against Whitfords 6-5 in 2 great games. Jason Lake showed what an excellent defender he has become and was in top form in both ties. Josh King scored 2 very good goals for Tongo and was unfortunate to be on the losing side.}

^{Damien Kennedy was also excellent between the Sticks for Tongo and kept the score very respectable. Bernard Parkes scored three 2nd half goals and was top man for Utd, scoring with a late free kick with the sides tied at 5-5. Gavin Rosser showed all his experience for Whitfords and his  use of the ball was excellent. The lead in this tie changed many times before Parkes pounced with his late strike.}

^{Thursday Division 2 “The Alan Jordan Memorial Cup”}

^{It was a good night for leaders the Net Busters who opened up a two point lead on the Dragons who only managed a draw with Apple Exiles. The very lively Dave McCarthy was best for the Net Busters who took advantage of the Chancers being a man down for the first 15 minutes going into a 3-0 lead. However when The Chancers got their 7th man on the pitch they out performed the Netbusters for at least an half an hour and tied the match at 3-3. However they seemed to run out of steam and Stephen Stromsoe and McCarthy added 2 late goals seal 3 vital points. Apple were unlucky not to beat the 2nd placed Dragons, as they conceded a late equaliser to draw 3-3 and a share of the spoils. Shaun Jordon with the all important late effort. Rory Walsh was excellent for the Dragons as was Jarrin Hoopman for the Exiles scoring twice. It was a bad night for Cork Celtic who played 2 games in the one night but losing them both. They were comprehensively beaten by O'Higgins FC and then went down to Mount Oval 3-1 after going a goal in front. The Celtic legs tired as the game wore on and Mark Hackett capitalised scoring two 2nd half goals for the Oval.} 

Thursday Division 1

The fat lady is warming up her voice after EZY FC beat their main rivals Drink Team 6-3 in a top of the table clash. Ezy did not have as much possession as their Polish rivals but were more direct in their approach and looked more dangerous going forward. They also defended very impressively throughout the game. Steve Dwyer gave a powerful performance in midfield for EZY and Brian Lyons also making a major contribution. Justin Banks made some great saves in goal for EZY when the game was tied at 3-3. But Ezy's top man on the night was John Daly who was excellent in defence and scored with a great strike after a poor clearance to put his side 4-3 in front and they never looked back. Peter Perdas and Marcin Glyda were best for Drink Team who seemed to overplay the passing game at times.

Oxford Intl overcame the Portuguese lads OS Naventages 5-3 in a very exciting game. Maurice Shannon scoring the pick of these 8 goals. Conor Hawes again excelled for Oxford.

The All Blacks came from 4-1 down at half time to win 5-4 against Far From Ath. Donagh Dwyer with 2 late goals to seal the the points for All Blacks. John Doherty was top man for Far From, who showed seen out this game but showed a lack of urgency in the final 10 minutes which cost them dearly.

The Booze Crew had their best win of the season so far as they beat Kitteringham FC 8-3 in another very open game. Kevin Willmott was star man for the Boozers scoring an impressive 5 times. Dean Dunlea was best for KFC.