CSL: Bandon U16s come from two down to snatch win over Leeds 

Leeds 2

Bandon 3

BANDON came from two goals down to snatch victory against Leeds in the Joma Sportsgear Direct U16 Division 1 match at Leeds Park over the weekend, a result which gave the visitors only their second win of the season and three points above their hosts in the table.

It was all going so well for Leeds who held a narrow 1-0 lead at halftime and extended their lead even further by the 51st minute but let Bandon back into the match with two goals in seven minutes and a third, which proved to be the winner, in the 69th minute.

Bandon had most of the chances and possession in the first half, Adam Kelly’s cross into the area scrambled away by the Leeds defence followed by Iruka Nniakato’s effort on goal being well covered by the Leeds keeper James Murphy.

Leeds did come forward, with Ronan Healy’s effort saved by the Bandon keeper John Buckley, but he could do nothing to prevent Leeds’s opener when Sean Kent fought his way into the near side and duly passed to an unmarked Jamie Walsh who found the net from 12 yards.

Bandon’s Jack Cullinane’s 30-yard free was well saved by Murphy, while at the other end Bandon keeper Buckley did well to dive at the feet of Leeds’ Kent as play was going from end to end.

Chances fell to Bandon’s Humphrey Canty and Eric Gleeson and Sean O’Leary of Leeds before the end of the first half as the home side held a seemingly comfortable 1-0 lead.

Leeds almost doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when an inswinging corner was cleared off the Bandon goal line while at the other end Bandon almost equalised when Ben Noton’s effort sailed over the bar from close range and Nniakato’s effort was blocked only for Kelly to send the rebound over the crossbar.

Bandon were starting to come back into the game and they were creating chances, but they were dealt a blow in the 51st minute when Leeds made it 2-0 with a magnificent 40-yard effort from Keith Martin sailed into the back of the net and it appeared as if the points were going to the home side.

However, three minutes later Bandon pulled one back when Nniakato’s effort came off the keeper only for Noton to stab the ball into the net.

Just after the hour mark, Bandon had drawn level when Nniakato flicked the ball into the net from close range following a corner.

Play was now being played at a frantic pace, with the visitors buoyed by their comeback, although Leeds almost took the lead again with five minutes remaining, but Kent’s delicate chip was well saved by Buckley.

With less than a minute remaining, Bandon pressed forward again, Nniakato sending the ball into the centre, finding an incoming Noton who slotted the ball past Murphy to give the visitors all three points.

LEEDS: James Murphy, James Walsh, Conor Gardiner, Keith Martin, Ben McCarthy, Jamie Walsh, Sean O’Leary, Ronan Healy, Aaron Clifford, Sean Kent, Evin Coughlan, Scott Moore, Zac Forde.

BANDON: John Buckley, Gearoid Murphy, David Whelton, Coen Crowley, Sam Kelleher, Adam Kelly, Adam Barry, Jack Cullinane, Eric Gleeson, Iruka Nniakato, Humphrey Canty, Liam Platt, Connor Ahern, Ben Noton, Inga Magata, Freddie Holland.

Referee: Paul Kavanagh.