Carrowmena edge closer 02.03.10
Strand Hotel First Division

Rashenny...1 (Brian Doherty 12’) Carrowmena...2 (Michael O’Doherty 14’; Brian Kone 81’) by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Trawbreaga Park WITH THE season approaching its climax, Carrowmena earned a hard won three points at Trawbreaga Park that could prove vital in the promotion shake up. The visitors were made to graft for this victory as Rashenny fought hard and were only outdone when a fortuitous Brian Kone strike nine minutes from time sealed victory. The quality of football on display wasn’t great at times but both sides were filled with commitment. Carrowmena were good value for their victory having the lion’s share of the possession and pinning Rashenny into their own half for lengthy periods of the game.

The last time these sides clashed at Trawbrega Park Carrowmena emerged victorious with David Houston scoring the winner. The game started off cagily with both sides scared to make the first major mistake. Jonathan McLaughlin had the visitors’ first chance with an awkward shot that Damian Friel did well to hold. An even better chance followed when Paul Duffy played a great ball into David Houston but the Carrowmena striker’s volley flew over. Somewhat against the run of play Rashenny took the lead. With a dozen minutes gone Barney Friel whipped in a great free kick that Rocky Ivers headed off the post, the ball snaked across the line only as far as Brian Doherty who had the simplest of tap ins.

The lead didn’t last long however as 90 seconds later Carrowmena restored parity. The equaliser also came from a free kick; the impressive Paul Duffy fired a low free that Damian Friel could only parry and Michael Doherty was there to rifle home from close range. Heartened by the goal Carrowmena pushed forward in search of a second with David Houston firing into the side netting and a nice exchange of passed between Houston and Kone that ended in a tame shot from Kone. Rashenny had their chances too with a Barney Friel free being poked wide by Brian Doherty and Anthony Doherty embarking on a great run and cross that Brian Doherty misjudged. At this stage the game was getting scrappy with both teams struggling to maintain meaningful possession.

Carrowmena did have two chances before the break when Kone sent a good ball into Houston which the forward hit wide and a John Paul Thompson free which Friel had to punch wide. In the second period Carrowmena upped their game and really should have taken the lead before they did. Houston teed up Jonathan McLaughlin for a good chance but the midfielder hit over. Houston was unlucky not to open his account when he saw his header from a Duffy free punched onto the bar by Friel. Rashenny were being pinned into their own half for large stretches and Carrowmena almost took the lead when a Paul McGowan shot slithered across the goal line before being cleared, and a Kone header from a Duffy cross which went just wide.

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