League 09/09/07 @ 2:00PM -- Copany Rovers 3-2 Orchard United -- Paul Clarke (27, 35, 51) -- Venue: Killowen Park
Paul Clarke fired home a hat-trick as Copany overcame a stubborn challenge from Orchard United in their first home game of the season.
Orchard United opened the scoring after 25 minutes when a free kick was aimed at the back post and an Orchard midfielder nodded in unmarked. Copany replied instantly when Darryl Duncan played a neat through ball for Paul Clarke who fired home powerfully into the far bottom corner.
Copany took the lead on thirty-five minutes when Aaron Scott picked up the ball deep in his own half and send Darryl Duncan down the right flank with a clever pass. Darryl then carried the ball down the flank and squared the ball from the byline for Paul Clarke, who knocked the ball home from six yards.
Orchard levelled the scores just before the break when they scored following another set-piece.
Paul Clarke netted his hat-trick five minutes into the second half to give Copany the lead for the second time. Darryl Duncan was once again the architect, playing another through ball for Clarke, who appeared to take too long to finish, but then fired into the top corner from an acute angle. Copany suffered a blow as Aaron Scott then was forced to withdraw immediately after the third goal.
Orchard pressed for the equaliser throughout the second half and always looked dangerous from set piece routines but Copany valiantly held on to secure an important three points go joint top, level with Drumbar United who recorded an impressive win against Bonagee.
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