Campile see off Ross Celtic
CAMPILE UNITED hosted Ross Celtic on Friday on a bitterly cold night at Tom O’Neill Park in round two of the Richie Dwyer Over-35 soccer league.
Both sides came into this game having won their opening encounters, and the large crowd at the game bore testament to the expectation.
There was a cautious opening from both sides with few chances in the first quarter.
Dessie Wallace found himself in on goal following a great through ball but the advancing Celtic ‘keeper easily saved.
Shortly after the hard-working Paul O’Leary played a fantastic through ball to Mikey Grangel who squared it back in the expectation of an inrushing forward to slot home, but to Campile’s relief the delivery was cut out by the defence.
The game now began to open up a little and, with Emmet Dunning and Alan Myler prominent, Campile started to probe the Ross Celtic rearguard in the hope of the elusive opening goal.
A foul on Shane Whelan followed soon after on the left side of the field, and from the delivery, ‘Dax’ Howlin rose highest in the Celtic box to head home and give the hosts a deserved lead.
Ross kept plugging away and again Mikey Grangel found himself in on goal just before the break, but the angle was a little tight and the ‘keeper did well.
The second-half saw Ross Celtic start well and some early pressure on the Campile defence had the home team retreating a little as they looked to contain the visitors.
Always dangerous on the break as Celtic pushed forward, Campile could have doubled the lead but shots from Shane Whelan and Emmet Dunning sailed over.
Fifteen minutes in came the second goal as Whelan pounced on an under-hit back pass to rifle home and give Campile a 2-0 advantage.
Ross Celtic were deflated now and Campile were buoyant as wave after wave of home attacks followed. The best of the game came from Alan Myler who beat three defenders and, faced with only the ‘keeper, passed to a team-mate who was in an offside position. Some wonderful skill was displayed by Myler.
Another through ball from Tommy Quinn gave Jim Wall the chance to add a third, but the shot was tame and the ‘keeper easily saved.
And so it finished 2-0 to Campile who will be a tough nut to crack in this year’s competition. Ross Celtic on the other hand will be stronger in the coming weeks as they had to play without three or four of their main players, and will no doubt improve significantly on their return.
Group A: Duncannon 0, Taghmon United 1; Campile United 2, Ross Celtic 0; Corach Ramblers 2, St. Leonards 1.
Group B: Shamrock Rovers 2, Forth Celtic 0; Kilmore United 2, All Blacks 1; Rosslare Rangers 1, Fastnet Rovers 1.
Fixtures (Friday, May 18, 7.30 p.m.) - Group A: Ross Celtic v. Duncannon; St. Leonards v. Campile United (Saturday, May 19); Taghmon United v. Corach Ramblers (7.30 p.m.); Group B: Shamrock Rovers v. Rosslare Rangers; All Blacks v. Forth Celtic; Fastnet Rovers v. Kilmore United.