Managers Brendan Cullen and Richard O’Regan hoped to hit the ground running in their first league game of the 2014/2015 season and earn three points away at Carrig Park. Bandon defended gallantly in the opening half and limited the Fermoy attack to a small amount of chances. Bandon created the better of the chances but were not turning those good chances into goals. 4 minutes from half time, Bandon won a free kick at the left hand corner of the box. Peter Callanan stepped up. The Fermoy defence and the Bandon attack all expected a ball to be floated across but Callanan thought otherwise and hit a low and powerful shot across the box to the far post.
It was a deserved lead for the away side at half time. Bandon had put in the perfect performance in the first half. Clean sheet and 1 goal lead.
Bandon improved in the second half and created more clear cut chances with Cathal Manning in fine form down the left flank. He struck the post and forced some good saves from the home keeper. Bandon continued to create chances but couldn’t force home that vital second goal they craved. Paul Lang and Greg Fitton were rock solid at the heart of the defence. As the home side began to chase the equaliser, they dealt with the constant waves of attack that came in the final 15 minutes.
Injury time had arrived and Bandon were on the back foot as the home team chased the equaliser. With 30 seconds remaining, Fermoy retrieved the ball inside their own half, launched the ball forward and somehow their attacker found himself through on goal. With huge pressure on his shoulders, he stuck the ball away well and earned the home side a point. A good point away from home but Bandon will be annoyed they didn’t take all three points.
Next up for Bandon is Carrigaline Hibernians at home this Sunday morning at 10.30am. Support would be greatly appreciated.
Man Of The Match: Cathal Manning – Manning worked tremendously hard on the left hand flank, showed tremendous skill in attack and great determination in coming back to help in defence. It was a complete performance and he was very unlucky not to score. Expect some more wing wizardry from this young player in the coming season.
Match Report by Richard O’Regan
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