Buncrana jump into second spot 16.12.11
JStrand Hotel First Division

Rashenny FC...0 Buncrana Hearts Reserves...1 (J. O’Donnell, 79) by Damian Dowds at Trawbreaga Park BUNCRANA Youths bounced back from a heavy defeat to league leaders Culdaff with a hard fought but merited win over Rashenny under floodlights at Trawbreaga Park on Saturday night. Gary Duffy’s young side grew stronger as the game wore on and were at their best in the second half when playing against the wind, but they struggled to find a way through the Rashenny defence which was well marshalled by Emlyn Doherty and Paddy Nelson. It took a late wonder-strike from full back James O’Donnell to break the deadlock. Rashenny had survived another Buncrana incursion into the box in the 79th minute, and they hoofed the ball out to the left where O’Donnell had pressed forward. He lifted his head, picked his spot and hit a screamer from 25 yards into the bottom right corner past the despairing dive of Rashenny keeper Kieran Friel.

Rashenny, like Buncrana in the first half, had struggled when playing with the wind but they mounted two late attacks to try and salvage a share of the spoils but were thwarted on both occasions when first substitute John Grant’s shot was blocked by Harry Forshaw and then a John Doherty flick was cleared by Kevin O’Loughlin and Buncrana held on for the win. Conditions were difficult over the 90 minutes, and both teams did better when playing against the wind. Rashenny should have grabbed an early lead when Damian Harkin whipped in a dangerous cross from the right that Anthony Doherty got on the end of, but the latter just couldn’t keep his header down and the ball skimmed narrowly over the bar. Oisin O’Flaherty laid off for Patrick McMyler on 13 minutes, but the Buncrana midfielder shot tamely at the keeper. Sean P Toland drew a save from Buncrana keeper Caolan McGonagle on 17 minutes before Buncrana enjoyed their best spell of the first half. Ryan Varma’s 20 yard free kick was saved by Kieran Friel.

The Rashenny keeper tipped over a McMyler flick on just after the half hour and from the resulting corner James McGonagle headed wide. Rashenny finished the half strongly but had little to show for their efforts. Some nifty footwork allowed Tiarnan Coyne to find space on the left and with Damian Friel racing in to meet Coyne’s cross, James O’Donnell had to be alert to cut out the danger. John Doherty cleverly used the wind to help bend a free kick around the wall, but his effort went just a couple of feet wide. Keeping the ball on the deck, Rashenny broke menacingly just before the break creating a three-on-three situation but Caomhan Doherty kept a cool head and averted the danger and the sides were scoreless at the break.

Rashenny had the first chance of note in the second half when Ryan Davenport’s snapshot was saved by Buncrana keeper McGonagle, but like their opponents in the first half, the home side struggled to find their rhythm with the win on their backs and temptation to play a long ball rather than keeping it on the deck was too great. With McMyler and Darach O’Connor starting to get on top in midfield, the latter supplied an inch perfect pass to left back O’Donnell and his well struck shot was gathered by Friel in the Rashenny goal. Rashenny pressed still harder, and struck the woodwork just after the hour when Toland headed a John Doherty free kick off the crossbar and the grateful McGonagle collected the ball when it fell conveniently into his arms. Doherty himself headed wide from a Harkin cross moments later, but Buncrana dominated the final 25 minutes of the game.

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