Goodwick United 1

Monkton Swifts 1

GOODWICK United and Monkton Swifts were involved in a hard-fought tussle at Phoenix Park where neither side was able to capture the initiative enough to take the three points, writes Bill Carne.

But both mangers will look back on chances missed that might have taken them to victory after Dan Scourfield had put the Swifts ahead with a penalty and Kieran O’Brien levelled matters from close range.

Scourfield looked sharp alongside Wayne Brunton and Ben Adams, who created an early chance for Marcus Blair but his header went wide. Wayne O’Sullivan and Anthony Couzens generally stayed in command at the back for Goodwick and at the other end it was Swifts’ skipper Jamie Callan who controlled things, despite strong surges by Rhys Dalling and Jac Pepper.

The Swifts went ahead after Paul Lowe played a ball into the box and Adams was pushed – and when Paul Rooney pointed to the spot, up stepped Scourfield to send James Gwilt the wrong way to put his side 1-0 in front.

Goodwick levelled matters from a set-piece as Dalling drove a low free kick into the area and when it rapped the far post, Kieran O’Brien was on hand to net the simple rebound past Lance Creese.

The second period was equally as keenly contested but neither team was able to break the deadlock. O’Brien went the closest as he struck the crossbar from 20 yards with 15 minutes left – and James Dean had a half chance as he came on as sub for Goodwick in the closing stages.

But in the final analysis perhaps a draw was the fairest result on the day since neither side was really on top enough to secure the spoils.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Darren Devonald, Wayne O’Sullivan, Anthony Couzens, Kieran O’Brien, Lewis Banks, James Evans, Aled Rees, Steve Blackford, Jac Pepper, Rhys Dalling. Subs: James Bottomley, James Dean.

Monkton Swifts: Lance Creese, Jamie Callan, James Russell, Ben Nicholas, Joe Lewis, Daniel Scourfield, Tom Meiring, Blake James, Paul Lowe, Ben Adams, Wayne Brunton. Sub: Marcus Blair.

Referee: Paul Rooney.