Ferry Rangers off to a winning start against Castlemaine
CHARLEVILLE CHEESE DIVISION 2
Ferry Rangers 4 Castlemaine United 2
THIS was the first game of the season for both sides at Tarbert on Sunday morning with each side hoping to feature in the league title race in this division.
It turned out to be a decent game between two committed sides who were doing their utmost to get off to a winning start to the new season. Playing conditions were excellent on a beautifully manicured pitch that had a lovely carpet of grass that was ideal to play good football.
The game got off to a lively start and Castlemaine went ahead in the seventh minute when an excellent delivery by Wayne Coffey found Darren Horan just outside the small box and he planted a great header in the back of the net.
The home side got a grip on the game after this and began to put a number of good attacks together. Pa Carmody and Finbarr Carrig were prominent at midfield and Mikey Carmody and Caolan Moriarty and Colin Enright were very dangerous up front.
The home side had to make a substitution in the 15th minute with Jack Harrison replacing the injured Ciaran Lanigan.
Now the Shannonsiders began to dictate the game and created a good few scoring opportunities, but they were unable to break down a solid Castlemaine defence.
Three consecutive corner kicks yielded nothing and frustration began to emerge as they were not making full use of the chances they were creating.
They were very unlucky not to equalise in the 35th minute when Gareth O’Connell latched on to a Coalan Moriarty corner-kick, but his effort came back off the upright and was cleared.
They continued to apply the pressure and Finbarr Carrig forced a corner kick. It was floated into the goalmouth by Caolan Moriarty and Gareth O’Connell stole in at the back post and bundled the ball over the line.
They went ahead four minutes later when the Castlemaine goalie spilled a Caolan Moriarty free kick and Colin Enright was following up and blasted the ball to the net.
The home side took a firm stranglehold on the game early in the second half when a handball by a Castlemaine defender produced a penalty kick. Colin Enright made no mistake from the spot applying a clinical finish.
While Castlemaine appeared to be out of it at this stage, but when you have a striker of the ability of Wayne Coffey on your side salvation is always possible.
They pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Coffey ran on to a brilliant over the top ball and he finished he finished clinically.
The same player almost equalised five minutes later when he was played in one-on-one with the Ferry Rangers goalie, but his blockbuster of a shot came back off the crossbar.
The home side put the game to bed late on when Pa Carmody set up Colin Enright and he completed his hat-trick in great style. Ferry will be delighted to start off with a win, while Castlemaine will be hoping to get on the winning trail in the not too distant future.
FERRY RANGERS: Aaron White, Bobby Wren, Michael Houlihan, Gareth O’Connell, Jack Sheehan, Ciaran Lanigan, Finbarr Carrig, Pa Carmody, Caolan Moriarty, Mike Carmody, Colin Enright
CASTLEMAINE UNITED: Morgan Mc Carthy, Eoin Bulger, Jamie O’Shea, Damien O’Connor, Seam O’Dowd, Darren Horan, Shane O’Connor, Tim O’Riordan, Diarmuid Foley, Eoin O’Mahony, Wayne Coffey
REFEREE: John Ross