Result
Sun Feb 17th
U14 Div 5
Lakewood Athletic A 2 Watergrasshill Utd 2
A devastating afternoon of missed opportunities and ‘bizarre’ refereeing decisions meant that this Lakewood team could not fully extend their lead at the top of the league, with the teams below them with games in hand. The Lakewood players were warned before kick off that the visiting team, although bottom of the league, had only just been beaten earlier in the season and that they were only one of two teams to beat potential league leaders Mallow Utd and had drawn with third place Kinsale. The Lakewood players, now warned of the difficult task ahead, probably couldn’t have imagined the ensuing match. The home team dominated the first half with great play in atrocious conditions. Charlie Delaney opened the scoring with a fine strike leaving the keeper no chance. Tadhg Tuathaig continued his scoring form and got the second not long after. Lakewood should have gone into half time with a bigger lead and this would prove telling at the end. The second half started with more pressure from the visitors who were now playing with the wind. A short spell of Lakewood errors had gifted the visitors with two goals to level the match with 15 minutes left to play. Lakewood pressed the visitors for the winning goal and hit the crossbar, had a certain penalty call ignored and a fine winning goal disallowed. All in all, Lakewood hit the post three times, crossbar twice, two penalty decisions overruled and two goals disallowed. The ’emergency’ referee was cautioning spectators and players alike but at least he was happy giving ‘high fives’ to the Watergrasshill players at full time as the home team and parents looked on both devastated and in disbelief. Great credit to the Lakewood players and parents for maintaining dignity with such a trying situation. Outstanding performances from all the team today but most notable Jack O’Sullivan and Charlie Delaney.
