LEEDS 1

BANDON 0

JJ HURLEY REPORTS

BANDON’S failure to convert several gilt-edged chances proved costly as they went down narrowly to Leeds in their Beamish Stout Munster Senior First Division clash at home on Saturday.

Rooted to the foot of the table, Bandon could have done with picking up some much-needed points, but lady luck deserted the West Cork side.

Despite the disappointment, there were encouraging signs that this Bandon outfit is far better than their precarious league position suggests.

Agreeing with that assessment after the final whistle, team manager Sean Holland said: ‘We had four great chances, including a cut-back across the box, and it cost us dearly. But the heart was there and everyone gave 100 percent.’

Admitting it is a very tough and competitive league, Holland added that chances must be taken when they come along.

It was a cruel twist of fate for the home side, who limited their visitors’ opportunities in front of goal during the opening half, thanks in no small part to some outstanding defending from Gerard Rice.

However, Bandon’s defence could do little to prevent Billy Clancy from whipping in a free-kick from the left on 19 minutes, which gave home goalkeeper Stach Koprowski no chance.

Bandon could have been in front after seven minutes, but Humphrey Canty’s penalty appeal was waved away by the match official. Canty had another chance on 13 minutes following a Cathal Dineen pass.

While the visitors struck on 19 minutes, Bandon had three chances to level matters in quick succession, but Cullen and Canty (twice) were unable to find the target.

Credit to both sides, who played entertaining football throughout. Leeds also had chances, including a well-struck shot from Adam Kelly that produced a fine save from Leeds shot-stopper Shane Sherlock.

A ball over the top from Gerard Rice to the hard-working Cullen looked to present a scoring opportunity, but the move was ruled offside before he could pull the trigger.

Despite being relatively quiet in the first half, Koprowski had to be alert on 42 minutes, going down smartly to save another Clancy effort. As half time approached, Clancy fired straight at the keeper, before Koprowski again produced a fine save from Oyemen Ayere..

With the city side seeking to protect their one-goal advantage, Leeds defended deep for much of the second half as Bandon pressed for an equaliser. Nineteen minutes after the restart, Cullen appeared to have sprung the offside trap, but a late flag saw the chance of an all-important equaliser evaporate.

The introduction of Amechi Nnaemeka brought a new dynamic to Bandon’s attack. He created two opportunities, but neither found the net. The best chance of the second period fell to Dylan Wilmot, who impressed over the hour, but his effort on 71 minutes drew another fine save from Sherlock.

Koprowski kept Bandon in the game with a late save, but Leeds saw out the contest, leaving the home side frustrated but encouraged by another committed display.

Bandon AFC: S Koprowski; J O’Donoghue, M O’Driscoll, L Holland, D Harrington; B Cullen, D Wilmot, H Canty, G Rice; C Dineen, A Kelly.
Subs: J O’Driscoll, A Nnaemeka, M O’Regan, P Craig.

Leeds AFC: S Sherlock; C Byrne, A Hosford, C Gardiner, R O’Connor; E Murphy, R Moroney, S Daly, D Tynan; D Foley, O Ayere.
Subs: S O’Sullivan, L Forde.

Referee: T McCarthy.