Goodwick United 1

Angle 2

TWO goals by left wing back Lee Duignan helped Angle gain their first win of the season against second-placed Goodwick United in what must go down as the most surprising result so far this season in Division One.

Goodwick led 1-0 at half time and in a third quarter where everything was played on their right flank they looked likely to add further scores – but then a real howler by their keeper James Gwilt gifted Duignan the easiest of equalising goals.

Still the Phoenix Park Boys had other half chances which they spurned and they were made to pay the price of a second defeat as Duignan tucked home a good finish as he sped through the middle from a cracking through ball by Josh Clarke so that Angle could celebrate their first victory back in Division One.

To be fair to Goodwick they still had time to claim something as a Johnny Horgan shot was well saved by Luke Lawrence and Scott Delaney had an excellent header just the wrong side of the upright, whilst Rob Morgans also had a shot blocked as Gwilt joined his front runners in a desperate attempt at grabbing an equaliser.

Gwilt made a good early save for Goodwick as Chris Richards found space on the left – but Goodwick forced their way up field almost immediately so that combined work by Steve Evans and Kieran O’Brien created the space for Johnny Horgan to drill home a low left-foot shot.

Angle had another chance when Richards again forced Gwilt to spread himself low whilst player/manager Brockway also looked in with a chance but scuffed his shot.

A 1-0 home advantage was just about right at the interval and they almost doubled that lead as Lawrence saved well from Karl Hedley and Wayne O’Sullivan marked his first full game of the season by flashing a drive just wide of the post.

Then an Angle equaliser came out of the blue as Gwilt tried for a quick throw-out but only succeeded in hitting one of his startled defenders on the head to give Duignan the simplest of scores.

Lewis Banks headed just wide for Goodwick and a lovely cross by Rob Morgan set up another Goodwick chance before Duignan added his second with aplomb and celebrated in style.

The game was marred just before the finish when a scuffle broke out which saw referee Phil Gale, who had a good game, issue a yellow card to Goodwick player manager Nigel Delaney and red cards to Angle’s Ben Adams and sub Andrew Thomas for getting involved, which was a shame since up to that point the game had been played as it should be: hard but fair.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt: Llyr Tobin; Wayne O’Sullivan; Nigel Delaney; Scott Delaney: Robert Morgan; Lewis Banks; Johnny Horgan: Stephen Evans; Kieran O’Brien. Subs: Alan Davies; Darren Devonald; Ryan Howells.

Angle: Luke Lawrence: Lee Duignan; Scott Richards; Gareth Howells; Luke Probert: Gareth Fisher; Ben Adams; Tom Grimwood; Josh Clarke: Chris Richards; Craig Brockway. Subs: Chris Lloyd; Andrew Thomas; Darren Mason.

Referee: Phil Gale