SLOW START COSTLY FOR COBRAS

COPANY TEAM

A very slow start to the game from a much below par Copany side was to ultimately cost them in the seasons opener against a very physical Ballybofey side at a blustery Finn View Park.

Two goals in the opening five minutes from Ballybofey gave them a commanding lead, from which Copany, though they huffed and puffed, were never able to realistically recover from.

Ballybofey took the lead on 2 minutes when Paul Patton turned a deep cross into his own net, and the home team doubled their advantage three minutes later when a striker drilled home from 10 yards after catching out the Copany defense.

Copany gradually forced their way into the encounter and forced a flurry of corners and throws in the final third as the home side were driven back, and had a goal disallowed when the keeper was adjudged to have been fouled by Thomas Given after a Gary McCafferty free kick.

Ballybofey - who put in some questionably robust challenges during the first half, given allowance by the reluctance by the man in the middle to curtail their aggression - all but secured the victory with a fine finish from the edge of the area following a defensive error on 40 minutes.

Copany were denied a penalty on the stroke of half time when the referee bizarely waved play on when the Ballybofey defender stopped Clarke from shooting with his arms around the ball.

Copany tried to get the elusive goal in the second period as Ballybofey were content to shut up shop, and despite having quite a number of tries - including another couple ruled out by the referees whistle - and James Walsh missing a glorious chance putting the ball wide with an open goal at his mercy, Copany couldn't register on the day.

Copany will be looking to get their season up and running in the derby with Drumbar at Killowen Park next Sunday.

Graham Harron was best for Copany, making a massive difference to the defense when entering the fray just before half time.

Referee: Martin McCafferty