Friendly 06/08/08 @ 7:45PM -- Bonagee United 2-1 Copany Rovers -- James Walsh (67) -- Venue: Dry Arch Park
Copany suffered their first defeat of pre-season, despite a strong performance over an impressive Bonagee United side in a competitive friendly which will have served the two sides well. The match was a keenly contested affair, and the Cobras management of Stevie and Russ will be happy after another good showing from their troops.
On an excellent playing surface at Dry Arch Park, the first fifteen minutes were a cat-and-mouse affair, with both teams sussing each other out. Gradually, as the first half went on, both teams started to find their rythem with their passing, and Bonagee's 3-5-2 formation was causing the away side problems, with the auxillary free man at the back driving forward from deep to cause Copany's midfield problems. Copany had their fair amount of chances in the first half, and came closest to opening the scoring with Paul McGroary going close when his effort hit the post after 37 minutes.
Copany opened the scoring after 67 minutes, when debutant Shane Walsh broke free down the left, cut inside his marker, before squaring the ball along the six yard line where James Walsh was on hand to poke the ball home from close range.
The away sides lead was short lived however, and Bonagee equalised from the penalty spot after 70 minutes when Gary Harron was adjudged to have brought down a Bonagee attacker inside the box.
Bonagee took the lead on 76 minutes, when some sloppy marking from Copany saw a six-footer from Bonagee head powerfully home from close range to secure the win.
Copany were best served on the night by the impressive center-back pairing of William Given and Clint Walsh. William, after making one major error in the opening five minutes, turned it around and proved once again his importance to this Copany side with a towering display at the back, both in the air and on the ground.
Friendly
