UNDER 16 MAJOR DIVISION

KYNOG UNITED     3

CARAGH              2

After the extended Christmas break both teams were keen to get back into action. The home team started the brighter with efforts from Adrian Moran and Martin Baneham narrowly missing the target. For Caragh Mark Faul was having to be at his best to keep out the Kynog forwards. The home team produced a move involving Shane Donnellan and Ciaran Baselmans with the latter having his shot pushed around the upright by the Caragh goalkeeper. Kynog took the lead in the 35th minute when a Dale Percival pass released Martin Baneham who confidently lobbed the keeper. To their credit Caragh responded with Dave Malone forcing Blaine Treacy in the home goal into a smart save. The second half saw Caragh start the better as they started to get a grip in midfield and as a result of constant pressure Philip Murphy was fouled inside the penalty area and Dean Heavey scored the resulting penalty. The goal of the game arrived in the 58th minute following incisive passing by Jason Ryan and Shane Merriman whose pass found Martin Baneham who calmed slotted home to give Kynog the lead. Caragh lifted themselves once more and in the 68th minute a cross from the right found the head of Andrew Murphy and his effort lodged in the top corner to bring the scores level. Both teams went in search of a winner and the home team were rewarded in the 76th minute when a Ciaran Baselmans cross found Martin Baneham who saw his shot cleared off the line and the ball broke to Shane Merriman who was on hand to score the winner. Both teams can take plenty of positives from a match played in good spirit.