League :: Whitestrand United 1-2 Copany Rovers
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Match Reports 10/11
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Sunday, 12 December 2010 00:00 |
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League 12/12/10 @ 2:00PM
Whitestrand United 1-2 Copany Rovers
Goalscorers: Raymond Forde (23), Thomas Given (78)
Venue: Whitestrand Park
Report by Robbie Love
The Cobras continued their good run of form with a deserved victory over Whitestrand, with a screamer with Raymond Forde into the bargain.
The Cobras continued their good run of form with a deserved victory over Whitestrand, with a screamer with Raymond Forde into the bargain.
Forde's trickery and movement was a constant thorn for the Whitestrand defense, especially throughout the second half, and his impressive return to the team will be very welcome news to Gaffer, Russell Gorman.
Whitestrand started the stronger of the two teams, as the visitors initially strugged to cope with a sharp and intense home side, who created a number of dangerous free kicks but will have been disappointed to not test Copany 'keeper Gary Ward more often than they did with them.
Copany suffered an early blow when the returning Darren Kilpatrick was forced off after 7 minutes, to be replaced by Kieran Boyle who had a solid game, along with full back compatriot Lee Doherty.
Copany opened the scoring against the run of play, when Raymond Forde picked up the ball half way inside the Whitestrand half, produced nimble footwork to deceive two markers, before firing a stunning strike to the roof of the net from 25 yards, giving the keeper no chance.
The goal buoyed the Cobras and they began to play some good football as they got to grips with the game, with the midfield quartet starting to win their respective battles.
The second half continued on the same vain, with the effort of Thomas Given, Stephen Doherty and Paul Clarke being well-complimented by the flair of Raymond Forde, Glen Harron and David Graham.
A ten minute spell midway through the second half produced a number of fantastic opportunities for Copany to but the game to bed, but the team unfortunately could not find the finishing touches to some excellent flowing passing moves.
Whitestrand grabbed their equaliser on 67 minutes, when a quick break down the left hand flank was turned in at close range.
Russell introduced talisman Aaron Scott from an injury spell with fifteen minutes, and he made an immediate impression, playing a one-two with Paul Clarke from a throw-in, before sending a deep cross onto the boot of Thomas Given, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range on the volley for another stunning finish.
The home side began to press forward searching for the equaliser, and were only denied by an exceptional stop from Gary Ward with five minutes remaining. From the resulting corner, chaos ensued, with three efforts from Whitestrand to put the ball into the net, the final one a looping strike headed off the goalline by David Graham.
Whitestrand weren't finished yet, thanks in no small matter to the 9 minutes of added on time in the second half, and when the ball broke to a striker free inside the box it appeared a goal was inevitable. However, a last gasp perfectly executed sliding-tackle from Thomas Given denied the chance, and Copany held on for the three points.
Another excellent team performance, working hard and limiting the opposition to few chances from open play, with Daryl Duncan reading the game superbly at the back, and Raymond Forde troubling the opposition for the ninety minutes. Credit also to fine performances all over the park.
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| Position |
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Player |
| GK |
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Gary Ward |
| RB |
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Daryl Duncan |
| LB |
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Lee Doherty |
| CB |
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Darren Kilpatrick |
| CB |
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William Given |
| RM |
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Raymond Forde |
| LM |
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Glen Harron |
| CM |
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Stephen Doherty |
| CM |
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Thomas Given |
| CF |
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Paul Clarke © |
| CF |
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David Graham |
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Kieran Boyle
for Darren Kilpatick (7) |
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Aaron Scott
for Stephen Doherty (75) |
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Mark McCrea
for Glen Harron (84) |
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