Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Fanad close the gap at USL’s summit
Fanad United 2 Bonagee United 0
Fanad United closed the gap on leaders Cockhill Celtic to two points after a 2-0 victory over Bonagee United at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday.
The first half was a tense affair with not many clear cut chances created by either side.
With 25 minutes gone some good work by Matthew Crossan sent Daire McDaid away but his shot went over the bar.
Three minutes later Shaun McElwaine missed a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring when he met a Marty McAteer free kick at the back post but his weak header was easily saved by Gareth Wade.
McElwaine was then called into action that the other end when he done well to block a goal bound shot from Francesco Crisci.
Two minutes before the break Fanad missed a great chance to open the scoring when Keelin McElwaine burst through only to see his well hit shot come back off the cross bar and away to safety.
Bonagee were left very frustrated on the stroke of half time when a very tight offside call denied Crisci a goal.
Bonagee started the second half on the front foot and created a number of chances.
In the 52nd minute Crisci pulled a shot wide when well placed.
Two minutes later a fantastic ball from Aiden McCauley split the Fanad defence and sent Aiden McLaughlin through but Shane Graham made a fine save to deny him. Fanad made Bonagee pay for their missed chances when they took the lead on the hour.
When Daire McDaid swung in a corner from the left, Seimi ‘Coshia’ Friel rose highest at the back post to plant a header into the top corner.
Seven minutes later Fanad doubled their lead when McDaid found space at the edge of the box, his low shot produced a fine save from Wade but the ball fell to Keelin McElwaine who made no mistake with his finish.
Bonagee were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the game with 10 men after Chris Moran received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Keelin McElwaine.
The final chance of the game fell to Crossan who seen his shot fizz wide with 15 minutes remaining.
Best for Fanad were Shaun McElwaine, Seimi ‘Coshia’ Friel and Keelin McElwaine. Best for Bonagee were Aiden McCauley, Kennedy Boachie and Taylor Russell
Fanad United: Shane Graham, Seimi “Nanny” Friel, Oisin Langan, Seimi “Coshia” Friel, Shaun McElwaine, Marty McAteer, Matty Crossan, Daire McDaid, Davitt Walsh, Keelin McElwaine, Killian Gallagher.
Bonagee United: Gareth Wade, Gareth Breslin, Taylor Russell, Ryan McGarvey, Darren Hunter, Chris Moran, Shane O’Doherty, Aiden McCauley, Aiden McLaughlin, Francesco Crisco, Kennedy Boachie-Ansah.
Referee: Paul Duddy.
Derry City Reserves 3-0 Swilly Rovers
Derry City Reserves moved up to third in the USL table following a comfortable win over Swilly Rovers at Templemore on Sunday afternoon.
All three goals came in an entertaining second period with prolific striker Cathal Farren superbly heading home on 66 minutes to open the scoring.
Farren – who was the USL’s first Player of the Month recipient for September – takes his tally to 12 in all competitions and leads the way in the League’s charts with eight goals.
Derry doubled their lead on 75 minutes, Stephen Duffy converting at the back post following a super cross from man of the match Adrian Delap.
The scoring was complete three minutes later when Cathal Farren scored his twelfth goal of the season, firing home a Stephen Duffy corner from twelve yards.
Derry City Reserves: Mark McElhinney, Paul Doherty, Sam Todd, Lee McColgan, Dean Power, Matty Doherty, Shane McNamee, Adrian Delap, Matt Doherty, Stephen Duffy, Cathal Farren. Subs used: Evan Tweed, Rhys McDermott, Sean McBride
Swilly Rovers: Caolan Bolton, Shay Durning, Damien Friel, Dylan Hegarty, Ryan McDaid, Ryan Toland, Daniel O’Donnell, Mikey Sweeney, Dara Crossan, Marty McDaid, Ricky Fisher. Subs used: Jamie Lee Blaney, Mark Wilson.
Referee: Packie Coll.
RESULTS
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Derry City Reserves 3 Swilly Rovers 0
Fanad United 2 Bonagee United 0
FIXTURES
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Tuesday, November 22, 7.30pm
Finn Harps Reserves v Letterkenny Rovers Refere – Vincent McLoughlin; assistants – Marty Quinn; Packie Coll.
FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup, Third Round
Saturday, November 26
Edenderry Town v Bonagee United
Sunday, November 27
College Corinthians v Cockhill Celtic
Top Goalscorers (League only)
Cathal Farren (Derry City Reserves) 8
Mark Moran (Cockhill Celtic) 5
Stephen Duffy (Derry City Reserves) 3
Aidan McLaughlin (Bonagee United) 3
Gerard McLaughlin (Cockhill Celtic) 3
Max Karner (Derry City Reserves) 3
Darren McElwaine (Letterkenny Rovers) 3
INTERMEDIATE CUP
THERE are no fixtures in the 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League next weekend. The League extends its best wishes to our two representatives – Bonagee United and Cockhill Celtic – who are in FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup third round action. Bonagee are away to Edenderry Town on Saturday with Cockhill traveling to College Corinthians on Sunday.