First Defeat for Skryne’s Third team
Skryne 3-09 Donaghamore/Ashbourne 3-16
Reserve B League – Round 3
For the second time in as many days Donaghmore/Ashbourne defeated Skryne – this time it was both clubs third teams in action. In an entertaining game played in ideal conditions Donaghmore/Ashbourne were strongest overall and fully deserved their seven points win. Skryne had their moments and could have been closer at the finish if they had taken more of their opportunities and were more accurate with their passing.
The first half saw both teams share 6 goals, with Donaghmore/Ashbourne first off the mark opening their scoring with a goal in one of their first attacks. Nicky Hamill broke free from his marker a minute later and had a chance to equalize immediately, but the Donaghmore/Ashbourne keeper tipped it over for a single. Donaghmore/Ashbourne added 2 points of their own before they rattled the onion sack again on the 12th minute stretching their lead to 7 points. John Morley who was Skryne’s best player in the opening half grabbed the first of his points midway through the half. Donaghmore/Ashbourne added a single to their tally before Brian Smyth poached a goal for Skryne, punching a centered ball to the net. John Morley followed this with 2 more glorious points from play. The gap had been narrowed to 2 points when Donaghmore/Ashbourne hit their third goal on the 23rd minute and washed it down with another point to push the gap back out to 6. Skryne to their credit replied with 2 goals in a row, the first a fine shot from distance from John Morley and the second from Brian Smyth who again got on the end of a lofted ball to punch the ball home. The sides were now level. Donaghmore/Ashbourne held their nerve and finished the half off with 2 more points. Half-time score was Skryne 3-04, Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-06.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne were first off the mark in the second half with an early point. Skryne on the other hand registered 2 early wides before Cian Lynch got the scoreboard moving with a point from play. Donaghmore/Ashbourne posted 4 points without reply as Skryne suffered a 15 minute drought which was to prove costly. It was almost the 20th minute of the half before Skryne got their second score a point from Brian Smyth which was quickly followed by another from Niall Morley. Donaghmore/Ashbourne stretched their lead to 7 points when they added 3 more points to their tally. Michael Doherty galloped forward for Skryne and slotted over a fine point with 2 minutes remaining. Skryne now needed 2 goals to stage a comeback, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne held firm. John Morley posted Skryne’s last score in injury time, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished off the scoring with 2 points to claim a well deserved victory. Final score: Skryne 3-09, Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-16.
For 3rd team football this was an entertaining game and both teams deserve great credit for the manner in which it was played and the standard of the fare on view. The Blues had good performances from Timmy Lennon, Darren Fox and Michael Doherty in defence, John Morley in midfield, while up front Brian Smyth, Cian Lynch and Declan Mulvey kept the Don/Ash rearguard on their toes for most of the match.
It was encouraging to see Skryne fielding a full team and management had nine substitutes to pick from. With some more players still to return the future of football in Skryne looks bright.
Skryne- Adrian Doyle. Barry Clarke, Timmy Lennon, Shane McEnroy. Paddy Carpenter, Michael Doherty (0-1), Darren Fox. John Morley (1-4), Niall Morley (0-1). Declan Mulvey, John Quinn, Cian Lynch (0-1). Des McAvinney, Brian Smyth (2-1), Nicky Hamill (0-1).
Subs. – Pauric Murphy, James Conroy, Paul McGoldrick, Paddy O’Leary, Ross McGovern and Colm Booth.
[metaslider id=10667]
