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A last 15 minute fightback by Whitestrand was not enough to gain any points from this encounter played at the Hospital Field, Donegal, as Copany turned in an accomplished overall performance to seal the three points.
Whitestrand struggled to match Copanys workrate from the beginning, with the home side first to most breaking balls and using the ball sensibly, knocking the ball about with confidence as the field in Donegal allows.
It was Copany who took the lead on 13 minutes when Marty McGrath was first to capitalize on an underhit backpass and rolled the ball past the keeper with the outside of his foot from the edge of the area.
On 28 minutes, the Cobras were two goals to the good. Tenacious play from Aaron Scott won the ball back in midfield, he moved the ball to David Harron, and the young winger beat his opponent on the byline and squared a teasing ball to the penalty spot where the in-rushing David Graham fired home in emphatic fashion.
Whitestrands best chance of the opening period came from a dangerous cross from the left, that had Gary Ward at full stretch to keep the ball out of flying into the corner of the net.
On 58 minutes the home side had a third. Good work from Dale Duncan fed the ball to David Graham on the flank, who returned the favour for his goal by whipping in a tempting cross to the back post that David Harron headed home.
The away side huffed and puffed but were found a determined Copany backline a tough nut to crack, and were restricted to long range efforts which were being comfortably dealt with by the Copany 'keeper.
Copany were four goals to the good on 72 minutes. A super through ball from substitute Brian Travers found the always willing Marty McGrath, and he fired past the outrushing 'keeper from 25 with another very clever finish.
Whitestrand upped the pressure and had a real go in the last 15 minutes. Firstly, Michael Sweeney sent a drive from the edge of the area to the corner of the net on 76 minutes.
With exactly 10 minutes left on the clock, Whitestrand reduced the deficit to two goals, when Stephen Sweeney found himself with space to fire home with the home side disorganised following a defensive injury.
Whitestrand then dramatically had a goal ruled out for offside when a striker tapped home close to the goalline, but the home side in the end held on to a deserved three points.
An excellent team performance by Russells side. Copany would like to thank Donegal Town FC for the use of the Hospital Field for this match.
Referee: M. Slater.
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