• Home |
• Contact |
• About |
• Sitemap

Cochrane & Corry Cup - Saturday 1st December 2007 13:30 Venue: Ardglass

BLOWN away

Ardglass 6 Santos 1  Cochrane/ Corry Cup Rd 3

“ Oh we don’t like to be beside the seaside”   on a Stormy December day this could be the Santos song.   In a  freezing, howling gale Santos were quite literally blown away by Div 1 kingpins Ardglass to end their cup hopes for another year.    Yet for 50 mins Santos matched their illustrious opponents in everything except arial power but as the wind strength increased and temperatures plummeted Ardglass became stronger and dominated al arial battles and eventually ran over a gallant Santos side.   Playing into the breeze Santos found getting the ball from their keeper to be a major problem and forced to play short from the back was giving Ardglass  great territorial advantage.  Young Aaron Harmon and the diminutive Doherty on the left flank were struggling against strong physical opponents.  Still Ardglass were wayward in shooting and prompted by the returning skipper Joseph Mc Geehan Santos began to play themselves in.  Paul Brady’s amazing pace was causing problems and ably assisted by Jonny Agnew Santos started to penetrate the, pushed up, Ardglass back line.  Off sides did spoil two great moves before in the 15min Agnew broke the trap,  outpaced the defence drew the keeper then unselfishly played in Brady for a super goal.  The idea was to hang on to this lead but Santos were again outdone by their own goal kick.  Mc Veigh opted for a down the middle kick which fell short in the breeze. The downward header was picked up25 yds out by Micheal Magee who caught the keeper flat footed with a rasper from just outside the box.    But Santos struck back 10 mins later Mc Cullagh played a wonderful ball to Paul Brady who coming at a sharp angle rifled a powerhouse shot to the net.  Unfortunately the goal was ruled out for offside.  Then with no danger Doherty turned inside .towards his own goal, Marc Feehan  muscled him away and shot low under Mc Veigh’s body for a silly goal.  It was a terrible goal to concede as Santos were now on top and playing with great confidence.   Half time however saw the score 2-1 to the home side.

 Unbelievably the wind turned in the second half roaring into Santos faces.  It also increased in severity and the tall strong Ardglass defenders were winning everything.   Santos were confined to snap shots yet wasted 2 gilt edged chances from frees before slackness again cost the Candystripes.  High up the pitch Mc Cullagh dithered  under no pressure.  A first time ball sent Matthew O Shea scampering away.  Hughes slipped as O Shea turned inside and hit a weak enough shot which Mc Veigh allowed to trundle under his body.    Still Santos were pressing and throwing men forward when a long ball caught up in the wind as Mc Veigh came for it.  Unbelievably itthe wind altered the flight into the path of the lethal  Chris Taggart.  Mc Veigh connected innocently enough with the striker but it was a clear penalty and Taggart dispatched it clinically despite having to retake it.  With the wind ferocious and freezing rain falling Santos just wanted the game to end and in the last 6 mins Taggart completes his hat trick with a bullet header and a cute loft in, to give the score line a disjointed look as Santos were in no way outclassed.  Ardglass have not lost at home for over a year and currently lead Div.2A.  They are very powerful and lethal in front of goal so Manager Mc Geehan was in no way dispitited,  “ we came here full of confidence and acquitted ourselves brilliantly for 50/60 mins.  But the conditions affected my players more the are young and not particularly physically strong.  The mood in the club has not been dented by this result. We are mentally strong  but Ardglass are a top side and we must aim for that standard”.

 Patrick parker excelled in this game,  winning tackles and setting up play  Joseph Mc Geehan, too after his serious injury, was impressive all the way through( though lacking in match fitness).  Goalie Ger Mc Veigh was busy throughout and is a class keeper but had no run of luck on the day despite a string of excellent saves.  But for most of the young Santos lads it was just a bad day at the seaside.

Lineup
		Player	Position	Rating	Info
		Gerard McVeigh	Goalkeeper
		Gerard Brady	Right Back
		Barry Doherty	Left Back
		Stephen Walker	Centreback
		Aaron Harmon	Goalkeeper
		Aidan Hughes	Sweeper
		Aaron Harmon	Attacking Midfielder
		Joseph McGeehan	Attacking Midfielder
		Michael Burns	Left Midfield
		Patrick Parker	Defensive Midfielder
		Paul Brady	Striker
		Johnathan Agnew	Target Man

Substitutes
		Player	Position	Rating	Info
		Liam Maguire	Sweeper
		Manus O'Gorman	Striker

Man of the Match
		Player	Notes
		Patrick Parker	best play on pitch tackling distribution 100%