Fern Mc Costigan

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Down to the wire in the NIFL between Crusaders and Coleraine

Coleraine 3, Carrick Rangers 2

The Showgrounds, Londonberry

As contested as ever and in this edition of the North Ireland Football League coming to its end and down to the wire between Crusaders and Coleraine. So far, the Bannsiders have returned to the top and now wait for their fate on the league last leg being play on Monday.

With the Danske Bank League of Ireland coming to an end and with a couple of matches being played on a Monday to close this edition, one match will be put a lot of attention when the Crusaders take on Warrenpoint Town FC away.

For sure, the whole of Coleraine County will be paying close attention to this match and cheering for the lads of the Point to play the role of spoilers to the Crues and see their Bannsiders break the dominance of the Hachetmen and Blues always winning the league shield.

As their last match of the campaign playing at home in the Showgrounds, Coleraine delivered a dose of excitement to this match after trailing and seeing themselves a victim of an inspired visiting Carrick Rangers playing like they were on a final.

With an early lead taken by the Gers on the 37 minute by a shoot y Darren Henderson and the Amber Army left momentarily this Londonberry colossus silent and in shock after seeing the liberties taken by the relegation prone candidates playing the role of spoilers.

Still the comeback the Bannsiders came alive after the second half, and after several missed opportunities in the first half, finally these came alive in the 47 by Josh Carson scoring the equalizer to the joy of their followers.

Another score follow by the locals with an Aaron Burns score in the 58 and putting Coleraine in the driver’s seat with a 2-1 lead but not until the 84 when substitute Michael Smith drove the equalizer in the 84.

Putting everyone on the edge of its seats despite a minute before what seemed to be the go-ahead and safety goal scored by Josh Carson in the 83 extending the lead to two goals, the visitors sub compromise the game for the locals.

However good defending and taking the pressure put on by the visiting Amber Army that the Coleraine defenders stood their ground and persevere for the win that at the end became a valuable one and putting them at the top.

With ninety minutes, that separates them from league glory and hoping for a Crusaders loss at Milltown by the Point, but in case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be at the end the one that will decide the champion.

Photos Credit and Property of Coleraine FC and INPHO/ Stephen Hamilton 2018

The League of Ireland weekend recap

With a shortened schedule in the League of Ireland but with several noticeable matches that left notable results. This weekend edition of the SSE for sure is showing off a squad potential in newly promoted Waterford.

As the commercial states it keeps winning and winning and despite their two losses in the campaign against the defending champions Cork City and Dundalk FC. On the other side, we have a hungry Dundalk FC looking forward to revive its old glory days by delivering an important win as a visitor.

In the Regional Sports Centre at Waterford, the local Blues playing like this is not their first rodeo and despite their promotion to the Republic of Ireland Premier football league, for Alan Reynolds and company is business as usual.

With a contested and goal ridden first half between Waterford and the Shamrock Rovers coming to town, the Blues with a double from an inspired Courtney Duffus in the 33 and 38 this latter one to answer a score by the Hoops Graham Burke in the 35.

Waterford FC 2, Shamrock Rovers 1

Once again the Saints are becoming a tough foe to play against when they play at home in Richmond Park back in Inchicore, with the visiting Limerick Super Blues, the local Pats just needed a simple goal to take care of business.

A lone score by Pats Ian Bermingham in the 56 was enough for the locals to stand their ground and net a valuable win and moving up on the table to fifth place for the joy of their manager Liam Buckley.

Saint Patrick’s 1, Limerick 0

In Phibsborough colossus of Dalymont the local Bohemians getting back in the winning column, netting three points of gold over a hapless visiting Bray Wanderers that so far in the campaign their mediocre play is sinking them further into relegation.

For the local Gypsies with goals from Ian Morris 4 and Daniel Corcoran 90 were enough to seal a win after the Gulls jumped ahead in the score in the 3 minute via a goal from Daniel Kelly.

Bohemians FC 2, Bray Wanderers 1

In the Showgrounds the Bit O’ Red Sligo Rovers playing host to Dundalk FC, today the visiting Lilywhites expose the frailties of the local’s defense with a notable win and a clean sheet for their goalkeeper Gary Rogers reaching a milestone of seven matches netting a clean sheet.

Very well netting his 501 participation in the League of Ireland, his teammates ensure that Rogers got another clean sheet as well a tranquil afternoon under his posts.

As the Town with goals in both halves were enough to seal the deal with Patrick Hoban in the 30 minute and Michael Duffy 55 to deliver a notable win as well be within a point of the defending champions Cork City in the general table.

Sligo 0, Dundalk FC 2

Dundalk’s making a run in the League of Ireland

Sligo Rovers 0, Dundalk 2

The Showgrounds, Sligo

The League of Ireland despite being in the early stages, we already can count a heated race to the top. Currently the defending champions, Cork City in first place with 16 points but with a point lead over Dundalk FC and Waterford with 15 points each.

Still the way the Lilywhites are playing lately and going to play in the Showgrounds netting an important and valuable win over a hapless Bit O’ Red squad exposing a weakness in its defending and hence the results.

With a couple of scores from Patrick Hoban And Michal Duffy one goal in each half, those scores were enough for the visiting De Town Boys to come up big with a win on the road and showing off again the return of their old winning ways.

After Patrick Hoban opened the score for the visiting Lilywhites by exposing a troublesome area for the Bit O’ Red manager Gerard Lyttle to work on in his defensive backfield that allowed amny liberties to the visitors strikers.

As the first score coming as a pail of cold water to the attendees in the Showground’s after Hoban goal in the 30 minute to put the De Town folks up in the scoreboard and going inot halftime with a goal lead over the hapless Rovers.

As the second half started, ten minutes passed when Michael Duffy did his mischief with the second and go-ahead goal in the 55 minute for what seemed to be the final score in a brilliant win that brings memories of that brilliant Dundalk of years past.

For manager Stephen Kenny he was a happy man after his side netted an important three pints of gold and tied a brilliant and surprising Waterford that despite promoted to this campaign, their performances are somehow amazing for a newcomer.

Still the Lilywhites have won important matches in this campaign over the champions Cork City, Limerick and Waterford but with tied matches against Bray Wanderers, Saint Patrick’s and Shamrock Rovers. At time exposing a scoring drought but in one league match they put eight goals over Limerick.

So far, in the match won on Saturday and netting important results that is keeping them in the hunt for first place and Saturday night deliver a wondrous result that keeps them on the hunt for first within just a point.

In the end, the new Dundalk FC is paving its way to the top and looking forward to bring back to those glory days they missed when last campaign after the departure of notable players making them lose the opportunity of netting a fourth league shield.

Now this is a different campaign and a new club showing off potential, will Kenny and company return to their old glory days. Very well kudos to Dundalks goalkpeer Gary Rogers in his 500th league match and his seventh clean sheet so far in the campaign.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

The Portland Timbers game improving

FC Dallas 1, Portland Timbers 1

Toyota Stadium

Frisco, Texas

Not easy for the mighty PTFC when they come to play in Frisco, Texas where they do not enjoy a positive record and always this field has been a bit difficult to play. Still the Mighty PTFC playing against all odds and facing a momentum stricken FC Dallas, the odds of a positive result was null.

One thing this match exposed a resurgent Portland Timbers initial eleven claiming to become a contender and near of almost achieving a positive result in Toyota Stadium.

With a controversy before the start of the match with an absent captain, Liam Ridgewell not was making the trip at all and taking his place Bill Poni Tuiloma taking his place a gamble that at the end paid off for Savarese.

Another amazing move performed by the Portland Manager was the formation used and substituting the traditional 4-2-3-1 used in the past and now sending a 4-3-2-1 with Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco paring with a lone Adi in the frontal attack.

The highlight for the Timbers initial eleven was the defensive game performed by the Portland foursome backfield alongside the threesome in the defensive midfield that at the end worked wonders.

One in defense with Alvas Powell and Zarek Valentin playing in the sides and with center backs bill Tuiloma and Larry Mabbialas, these center back dup did step up their game and despite the score by Dallas midfielder Roland Lamah in the 36.

The Rose City squad defensive game became motivated to deny the Dallas strikers in the remainder of the match any liberties toward the posts defended by Jake Gleeson, who had an amazing game.

Another point to show up was the presence of Diego Chara upgrading the Portland defense and giving Lawrence Olum and Cristhian Paredes a lot of confidence and character in their game.

Still despite the improvement seen in the Rose City game today, some of its players really need to get back to their old form and so far Diego Valeri last campaign MVP he has not been displaying the game we are accustomed from him.

In addition, whenever the man takes the ball he is subject of getting mob by opposite defenses of not allow him to show off his best game.

However, this translates as a gain for Sebastian Blanco, who in the campaign leads the Portland squad with two goals and today beauty of a spectacular goal scored in the early seconds of the second half, shows off how he will be taking the team.

At the end, this match ended with a draw and with more time of possession and shoots at goal for FC Dallas but Portland did took the match seriously and showed more discipline that almost delivered them their first win of 2018.

Despite coming short in a couple of opportunities and playing with ten men left after Lawrence Olum being red carded in the 75 minute for a handball, the Timbers later came near with Alvas Powell charging and sending a near shoot. If any of these plays in the 74 and 83 minutes could made the difference and become the game winners.

Still the Portland Timbers saw a far better advancement in their game and awakening a more positive outlook before their next compromise against the Chicago Fire of possibly seeing a positive result.

Photos Credit and Property of USA TODAY 2018