Taghmon take spoils
TAGHMON UNITED were the visitors to Danescastle on Wednesday on a blistering hot summer’s evening as they took on Corach Ramblers in this eagerly-anticipated top of the table clash in Group A of the Richie Dwyer Memorial Over-35s League.
The hosts started brightest but Jason McLoughlin of Taghmon had the first real effort as his longrange shot on five minutes sailed over the bar.
A great through ball from David Currid went into the path of Dylan Whitty and his shot deceived the ’keeper.
As the ball fell to the feet of Corach’s Mark Colfer, he somehow dragged the shot wide.
Dylan Whitty was to the fore again shortly afterwards as his lob from distance had Jimmy Doran in the Taghmon goal beaten, but the ball rebounded off the post and was cleared by a relieved defender.
Then on 15 minutes came the game’s big talking point. A freekick from Taghmon was floated into a congested penalty area and as the ball was cleared by the Corach defence, the referee spotted an infringement.
A penalty was awarded, and a Corach player was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident. Jimmy Doran in the Taghmon goal made the long trek downfield to take the spot kick but it turned out to be a fruitless journey as his opposite number, Toddy Barry, got down well to save and the ball was cleared to safety.
For the next ten minutes Corach understandably retreated and allowed Taghmon plenty of possession, but they were limited to long-range efforts and a Kieran Kelly free-kick which was over the bar.
On 31 minutes, Corach took the lead from a corner as the ball wasn’t dealt with by the Taghmon defence and Mark Colfer was on hand to pounce and score, sending the home team into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Corach started the second-half quite well and the hard-working Mark Colfer again troubled the Taghmon defence early on as his shot was just wide.
Colfer again threatened on 44 minutes after some great play down the right, and his cross was just out of reach of the inrushing Wayne Whitty.
Taghmon started to get into the game more and on 52 minutes they forced a corner, which led to the equalising goal, as Kieran Kelly ghosted in at the back post unmarked and made no mistake.
With twelve minutes remaining, Damien Murphy stepped up to a free-kick and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner to give Taghmon the lead.
The ten men of Corach pushed hard for the goal that would give them a well-earned draw but the post denied Dylan Whitty in the dying moments and Taghmon United held out for the win which sees them go joint top with Corach in Group A with two games remaining.
Results - Group A: Corach Ramblers 1, Taghmon United 2; Duncannon 4, Ross Celtic 1; Campile United 3, St. Leonards 2; Group B: Forth Celtic 5, All Blacks 0; Kilmore United 0, Fastnet Rovers 2; Rosslare Rangers v. Shamrock Rovers (yesterday, Monday).
Fixtures (Friday, July 6, 7.30 p.m.) - Group A: Corach Ramblers v. Duncannon; Campile United v. Taghmon United; St. Leonards v. Ross Celtic (Saturday); Group B: Rosslare Rangers v. All Blacks (Saturday); Shamrock Rovers v. Fastnet Rovers; Forth Celtic v. Kilmore United.