Division One Football:
Goodwick United 2 - Merlins Bridge 3
This top of the table clash at Phoenix Park was expected to be full-blooded as both teams were locked at the top of the table and that is exactly how it turned out - but it was Merlins Bridge who inflicted a first league defeat of the season against their old rivals Goodwick United to move three points clear but having played a game more.
Crazy moments in both camps
Sadly, though, there were moments where things got over-heated and as a result the homesters were reduced to nine men as first Nathan Greene was shown red after 53 minutes for a second yellow and Luke Hayward followed after 77 minutes in the same way.
Then after fighting back against depleted opponents to lead 3-2 The Wizards lost Alfie Stotter and Joe Leahy in the same incident in the 83rd minute to unnecessarily put pressure on their team mates – and although all four protested their innocence, experienced referee Angus Scourfield didn’t hesitate in sending all of them to the changing rooms.
Goodwick start better and take the lead
To be fair to both teams at the start, they were eager to play, other than appealing for a foul at every tackle, despite an awkward cross wind and heavy drizzle on a pitch that was naturally heavy but held up well nonetheless – and it was Goodwick who made the better start as Rhys Dalling posed problems on the right and his terrific cross saw Greene head straight at keeper Matthew Clark.
But it was a warning that The Wizards ignored at their cost because when Rhys Jones released Will Haworth on the left, he did superbly to get his cross in and Greene soared above his marker to head home.
The Bridge battle back to level matters at half time
Another Dalling cross saw Richard Hughes head over his own cross bar to remove a dangerous situation and at the other end a Bridge free-kick into the six-yard box saw Leahy’s header glanced just wide.
The Wizards had another half-chance but Lee Hudgell’s clever ball in was deflected wide – and Hudgell was instrumental in hauling his side level just before the interval with his cross from the left which allowed Stotter to supply the pass for Sam Christopher to score, albeit via a fortunate deflection which deceived James Gwilt in the Goodwick goal.
Greene goes but Horgan fires Goodwick back in front
Within four minutes of the restart Greene was sent off for a tackle just outside the opposition’s area and although they were down to 10 men the homesters stayed very much in contention and deservedly retook the lead after Johnny Horgan had replaced Jones and unsettled the Wizards’ defence on the right flank - and after 59 minutes he gave his side the lead when a Dalling pass allowed him to cut in from the right and plant his left-foot shot past a stranded Clark in the Bridge goal.
Hayward shown red – and The Wizards come back
The score stayed 2-1 in Goodwick’s favour as Hayward blazed a rebound over the bar but a short while later, he was dismissed after a tackle in midfield was deemed out of order by the referee and Goodwick were down to nine players.
From the resultant free kick Gwilt was forced to palm the ball over the bar and from the following corner it fell nicely for Jamie Palmer, on for Jones just a minute before, to coolly volley home the equaliser.
Mayhem at the end as tempers flare
Worse was to follow after 87 minutes when Leahy’s shot deceived Gwilt and The Wizards took the lead for the first time – but it was to Goodwick’s credit that they still battled on, although there was more controversy to come after 90 minutes when a bit of pushing shoving on the touchline broke into something far more serious as Leahy and Stotter were sent off for Merlins Bridge and keeper Gwilt and full back Ben Adams received yellow cards for the Phoenix Park Boys.
In a frenzied finish Goodwick tried desperately to pull the game out of the fire but Merlins Bridge defended well to take the victory and it was nice to see some hand-shakes from both sides afterwards to the opposition and the match official; just a shame that some players lost their cool and paid the price!
Goodwick United: James Gwilt: Steff Hayes; Jordan Thomas; Scott Delaney; Ben Adams: Luke Hayward, Rhys Jones; Steve Dockerty: Rhys Dalling; Nathan Greene; Will Haworth. Substitutes: Jake Smith; Adam Hawkins; Johnny Horgan.
Merlins Bridge: Matthew Clark: Matthew D’Ivry; Andrew John; Richard Hughes; Harry Thomas: Lee Hudgell; Alfie Stotter; Dai Davies: Jordan Williams; Joe Leahy; Sam Christopher. Substitutes: Josh Silk; Jamie Palmer; Ben Davies.
Referee: Angus Scourfield.